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King County Environmental Purchasing Program

Integrated Pest Management Program

Introduction

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a comprehensive approach to pest (including weed) management. IPM stresses the prevention of pest problems through design and maintenance practices, and uses a range of pest management techniques, including biological, cultural, and mechanical, with chemical controls as a last resort.  King County and the City of Seattle have undertaken a strategy to eliminate use of the most hazardous pesticides and to reduce overall pesticide use on public lands managed by the city and county.  King County decreased it’s total use of pesticides 50 percent in the first year, and achieved an additional thirty percent reduction last year.

This page features excerpts of bid language from landscape maintenance contracts and links to elements of the King County's IPM program and policy.

Integrated Pest Management
Contract Language

Much of the landscape maintenance work done in County parks and facilities is accomplished by private contractors.  Their work is governed by their contracts with the County and this section contains excerpts of bid language from landscape maintenance contracts.

PESTICIDE USE

No Tier 1 Pesticide products as defined by King County Executive Order may be used. Contractor shall submit all product labels for all herbicides, and insecticides proposed for use in advance to the scheduled application(s). The Building Services Supervisor will review the labels and work with the Contractor to select substitute non-Tier 1 Pesticides where possible. No lawn fertilizers containing 2, 4-D or related phenoxy herbicide weed control additives shall be used. No shrub bed pre-emergents containing dichlobenil (Casaron, etc.) may be used. No fungicides shall be used. No Dursban shall be used.

WEED and MOSS CONTROL

All lawn and shrub beds shall be kept free of weeds and moss by chemical or mechanical (pulling) means. Prior to any herbicide application, Contractor shall submit Label(s) to the Building Services Supervisor of proposed herbicide(s) for use in turf and shrub beds, and a schedule of chemical application. All beds, tree wells, and other non-lawn areas shall be kept clean of Horsetails, Morning Glory, Blackberry and other weeds at all times. Post emergence spot spray, weed wick or brush applications using glyphosate (Roundup) in shrub beds, tree wells, and other non-lawn areas are permissible; follow the pesticide label.

FERTILIZING

Note: fertilizer/herbicide and fertilizer/insecticide combinations are not to be used.

All lawn areas will be fertilized three (3) times each year, in the spring, summer and fall. Fertilizer used in the early and late summer applications shall be 28-7-14 analysis, Shur Crop Slow Release, Cascade Green, or approved equal. The rate of fertilizer application will be 1.0# actual Nitrogen (N) per 1,000 square feet. Contractor shall coordinate application of fertilizers with Facilities Maintenance personnel to insure adequate irrigation follows the use. One (1) application of Pacific Calcium Cal-Pril lime, or approved equal, shall be made to all lawn areas in the spring. 8# per 1,000 square feet will be the application rate. Contractor shall exercise care that the lime does not get applied to acid loving ornamental shrubs. Contractor shall submit product labels and labeling to the Building Services Supervisor for all fertilizers and lime products proposed for use. (SEE ATTACHED FERTILIZER SPECIFICATION (ATTACHMENT “A”) BELOW)

AERATION

All lawn areas shall be aerated by mechanical plugging annually, during the spring. Contractor shall notify the Building Services Supervisor prior to aerating. Care shall be exercised not to damage irrigation systems during aeration. Fertilizer application and over seeding shall be scheduled to occur at the same time as aeration. The seed mixture shall be perennial rye/fescue mix that is designed for the Pacific Northwest Conditions.

INSECT AND DISEASE CONTROL

Any insect or disease problems must be documented by monitoring reports prior to treatment. Contractor shall provide documentation of insect or disease problems to Building Services Supervisor. If required, chemical treatments shall be chosen based on least non-target toxicity and hazard. Building Services Supervisor can provide a copy of the King County Pesticide Tier list to assist with the choice of a low-toxicity pesticide. Chemical treatments should be avoided if alternative maintenance activities can reduce pest populations.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

Contractor shall provide copies of Material Safety Data Sheets for each chemical that is being used on the premises.

ATTACHMENT A:  FERTILIZER SPECIFICATIONS
A. SHUR CROP

28-7-14 or approved equal
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
 
TOTAL NITROGEN (N)                    28.0%
2.75% Ammoniacal N
14.18% Urea N
11.10% Sulfur Coated N
 
Available Phosphoric Acid (P205)    7.0%
Soluble Potash (K20)                        14.0%
Sulfur (S)                                         4.5%
Iron (Fe)                                         .25%
 
Ingredients: Urea, Sulfur Coated Urea, Diammonium phosphate, Sulfate of Potash, Iron Sulfate and Fritted trace elements.
 
1 - early summer &
1 - late summer application
 
Rate: 1.0# actual Nitrogen (N) per 1,000 sq. ft. or approximately 3-2/3# fertilizer/1,000 sq. ft.
B. 15-5-25 with 50% SCU N
2-3 Month Turf Fertilizer with High Potash
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
 
TOTAL NITROGEN (N)                    15.0%
2.0% Ammoniacal N
5.5% Urea N
7.5% Sulfur Coated N
Available Phosphoric Acid (P205)    5.0%
Soluble Potash (K20)                     25.0%
Sulfur (S)                                     2.8%
 
Primary Ingredients: Urea, Sulfur Coated Urea, Diammonium phosphate, Muriate of Potash
Other: Grit

Advantages:

1. 50% of the nitrogen (N) is slow release from Sulfur Coated Urea (SCU)

  • At least 90% of the N from SCU is released within 3-1/2 months (unlike Urcaform and some natural organics, which can take years to release their N, especially in cooler climates like Western Washington.)
    •
  • The sulfur from SCU helps suppress Fusarium nivale.
    •

    2. Cascade Green 15-5-25 contains a 3.5 ratio of N to Potash. Potash is crucial for disease resistance, drought tolerance and winter hardiness and has been found limiting in over 80% of soils in Western Washington.

    Application Rates and Timing:

    Standard Rage: 1 lb. N/1000 ft2 (6-2/3 lbs. Fertilizer/1000 ft2 or 7,5000 ft2/50 lbs).
    Fall Applications: 1 lb. N/1000 ft2 in Mid to Late November (or within 2 weeks after last moving).
    One fall application.

    C. CALPRIL
    Cal. Carbonate, NLT         90.0%
    Mag. Carbonate, NLT         1.0%
    Neutralizing power in
    Terms of Cal. Carbonate     91.0%

    (Before Priling)

    Amt. Passing 10 mesh sieve     100.0%
    Amt. Passing 20 mesh sieve     99.0%
    Amt. Passing 40 mesh sieve     98.0%
    Amt. Passing 60 mesh sieve     89.0%
    Amt. Passing 100 mesh sieve     80.0%

    Score (Oregon)                     91.0%

    Lime application or approved equal.

    Rate of application: 8#/1,000 sq. ft.

            Spring

     

    For More Information

    King County Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program

    King County IPM Policy

    Pesticide "tier tables"

    Return to Environmental Purchasing Main Menu

    Updated: April, 2003

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