No More Pesticides at Home by Jonah Paisner
Excerpted with permission from Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides http://www.pesticide.org

Traditional American values strongly support each person’s right to determine what happens inside his or her own home. These values tell us that no one should be forced to allow unwanted toxic chemicals into their home. Unfortunately, this right is far from a reality, especially for those of us who live in rentals or condominiums.

This article gives a brief description of the important steps to take when an unwanted pesticide application is proposed for your home.

Information Gathering
Before taking up any approach, it’s important to collect certain information:

• What kind of pesticides are used

• Their active ingredient(s)

• How often they are applied

• If the use is in accordance with the label instructions

• Any negative effects on people, plants or animals observed

• Information on alternative methods, including those that use Integrated Pest Management  (IPM)  A systemic approach to pest control which relies on prevention, identification and control by the least harmful means, such as biological controls, first before moving on to more toxic methods.

Let’s Talk
In many cases, all it takes is a brief mention of the hazards posed to people, pets and gardens in the residence to those involved in the decision to use pesticides, and the user will happily switch to a least toxic solution.

• An offer to help with the pest control effort is a good way to win the user’s cooperation. So, if it’s a question of using an herbicide on their lawn or garden, offer to do weeding.

• Suggest that the pest control company only treat specific pest infested areas instead of an entire building.

• Have the landlord pass on preventive information to all apartment dwellers.

• A doctor’s note or a willingness to help pay for the alternative may convince a stubborn user.

An Ounce of Prevention: Amending a Rental Agreement
Before signing a rental agreement, have your landlord accept in writing a supplement to your rental agreement, which specifies your requirements.

• Add an amendment to your existing rental agreement that covers future pesticide use.

• Insist on advance notice before use of both indoor and outdoor pesticides; a promise of the landlord to look into least toxic alternatives; or a prohibition on specific products to which you know you have a strong reaction.¹

• You many need to pay a slight charge on top of the rent to secure such these rights.

Changing Pesticide Policy
Where a landlord is unwilling to switch over to least toxic methods in response to one person’s request, organizing a group to support change can be more successful.

• Find out the current pest control products and methods.
• Research alternative methods and local pest management companies that will use these methods.
• Contact fellow renters/condo owners and let them know of the hazards of the current situation and your alternatives; speak to the condo board or tenant’s association.
• The condo board of directors must be persuaded to amend the condo bylaws, or the landlord must be persuaded to consider alternatives as a factor when choosing a contractor.
• Be vigilant to make sure the policy does not get changed back to old chemical ways after the initial publicity dies down.

Ordinances: A Difficult but Potentially Rewarding Path
It may be possible to get your town or city to adopt a local ordinance restricting pesticide use or requiring certain forms of pre- and post-spray notification.

Legal Remedies
These remedies are approaches for those already exposed to pesticides. They are concepts that can be explored with an attorney once injury has happened. Depending on the type of injury, and any special characteristics of the person injured, the claim will be based on different laws.

Conclusion
When trying to avoid pesticide exposure, tenants and condo owners are faced with meager protection from laws. Using non-legal means to achieve alternative pest control practices is often the best approach.

• Negotiation, either on your own or through a lawyer, is the first approach.
• Successful arrangements might include an offer to help with the costs or time needed for alternative pest control practices.
• An amendment to a rental agreement can offer freedom from pesticide exposure.
• With a condominium, organization and mobilization are the keys to securing alternative-friendly by-laws or pest control contracts.
• If you think you or your property was injured by pesticides, a law suit may be appropriate

Changing Pesticide Policy
Where a landlord is unwilling to switch over to least toxic methods in response to one person’s request, organizing a group to support change can be more successful.

• Find out the current pest control products and methods.

• Research alternative methods and local pest management companies that will use these methods.

• Contact fellow renters/condo owners and let them know of the hazards of the current situation and your alternatives; speak to the condo board or tenant’s association.

• The condo board of directors must be persuaded to amend the condo bylaws, or the landlord must be persuaded to consider alternatives as a factor when choosing a contractor.

• Be vigilant to make sure the policy does not get changed back to old chemical ways after the initial publicity dies down.

Ordinances: A Difficult but Potentially Rewarding Path
It may be possible to get your town or city to adopt a local ordinance restricting pesticide use or requiring certain forms of pre- and post-spray notification.

Legal Remedies
These remedies are approaches for those already exposed to pesticides. They are concepts that can be explored with an attorney once injury has happened. Depending on the type of injury, and any special characteristics of the person injured, the claim will be based on different laws.

Conclusion
When trying to avoid pesticide exposure, tenants and condo owners are faced with meager protection from laws. Using non-legal means to achieve alternative pest control practices is often the best approach.

• Negotiation, either on your own or through a lawyer, is the first approach.

• Successful arrangements might include an offer to help with the costs or time needed for alternative pest control practices.

• An amendment to a rental agreement can offer freedom from pesticide exposure.

• With a condominium, organization and mobilization are the keys to securing alternative-friendly by-laws or pest control contracts.

• If you think you or your property was injured by pesticides, a law suit may be appropriate.

The points above are covered in the in-depth article Pesticides in Rentals and Condominiums: No More Pesticides At Home, from Journal of Pesticide Reform (Vol. 16, No. 3), which can be found in full at Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides:

1. Hacinli, Cynthia. 1992. A renter’s green bill of rights. Garbage (May/June):40-45
2. checnet.org