August 29, 2024 - Pesticide Use1
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Date: August 29, 2024
To: Cupertino City Council
From: Pamela Wu, City Manager, Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works, Ursula
Syrova, Environmental Programs and Sustainability Manager
Re: Pesticide Use
Background:
At the March 19, City Council meeting, Councilmember Moore requested information
on what fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides the city uses and what sustainable
alternatives exist.
Pesticides are applied as needed by City staff for maintenance of grounds, medians,
shared-use fields, and trees. Additionally, a contractor applies pesticides for
maintenance of the turf at Blackberry Farm golf course, and another contractor controls
rodents at City of Cupertino facilities. All pesticide usage is tracked and reported to the
County of Santa Clara Department of Agriculture and records are preserved. City staff
also reports to the State Department of Pesticide Regulations for any school site
applications.
Additionally, the City compiles all usage as supporting documentation for the City’s
annual Urban Runoff Management Program report submitted to the Regional Water
Quality Control Board (RWQCB), a copy of which is available on the City’s website at
the link noted in the footnote.1 The list of pesticides and usage by the City for the past 5
years is provided in Attachment A. The RWQCB only requires the City to report on use
of certain specific pesticides that are considered a threat to water quality
(organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, fipronil, indoxacarb, diuron, and
diamides) as part of the City’s annual Urban Runoff Management Program report, none
of which the City currently uses. In 2022-23, neonicotinoids were added to the list, and
the City did use a very small quantity to control persistent tree pests that cause damage
1 https://www.cupertino.org/home/showpublisheddocument/32199/638521637903170000
2
to trees and dripping of aphid-generated “honeydew” which can present a sidewalk
hazard. City staff and contractors agree annually in writing to prioritize Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) techniques by reviewing the Council IPM Policy (Attachment B).
IPM calls for non-pesticide alternatives such as manual removal of weeds or plugging
gaps where pests can enter buildings.
Each year staff and the contractors who apply pesticides are asked about the year’s
activities and they explain techniques they used, challenges, and alternatives they tried.
Staff are conscientious about the timing of applications and minimize the quantities
used. Alternatives include applying mulch, manual removal of weeds, using string
trimmers, and employing drip irrigation. Transitioning medians and other landscaping
areas to make use of drought tolerant plants has also helped. Additionally, staff are
made aware of relevant training in IPM and green gardening.
As part of the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Program (SCVURPPP), the
City also supports the Our Water Our World program, which offers information on less-
toxic pest control alternatives to the larger community.2 Environmental Programs staff
maintain a web page about less-toxic pest control3 which features a list of questions and
answers about pesticide application conducted in the city. The City also supports,
through SCVURPPP, maintenance of a web site dedicated to green gardening called
South Bay Green Gardens.4 That site provides a wealth of information on a variety of
topics, including less-toxic pest management.
Sustainability Impact
Biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem are noted co-benefits of greenhouse gas reduction
measures. Notably, from page 54 of the City’s Climate Action Plan 2.0, “Actions that
improve the health of local ecosystems can also result in a variety of public benefits
including reducing pollutants in local creeks and runoff to the bay, providing species
habitat which supports a more biodiverse landscape, improving water and air quality,
reducing local flood risk, and providing recreation benefits for the community
enjoyment.”
Fiscal Impact
None
Prepared by: Ursula Syrova, Environmental Programs and Sustainability Manager
Reviewed by: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
2 https://ourwaterourworld.org/
3 https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/environment-sustainability/water/less-toxic-pest-
control
4 https://www.southbaygreengardens.org/
3
Attachment:
A – FY 19-23 Pesticide Use
B – IPM Policy Acknowledgement
Active Ingredient Target
Pest
Application
Location FY 18-19 FY 19-20 FY 20-21 FY 21-22 FY 22-23
Acetamiprid Aphids Parks 528.6 fl oz 4.51 gal 4.71 gal 503.98 fl oz 17 fl oz
Acibenzolar-S-Methyl Pink Snow
Mold Golf 0.566 fl oz 0 0 0 0
Alkylphenol Ethoxylate Aphid Trees 660.7 oz 4.616 gal 4.51 gal 397.70 fl oz 15.97 fl oz
Ammonium Nitrate Weeds Grounds 0 0 0 0 0
Azoxystrobin Fungus Vegetation 24 fl oz 0.651 0 0 0
Chlorothalonil Pink Snow
Mold Golf 0 16.38 0.75 gal 0.7475 gal
4.68 lbs
0.75 gal
Cholecalciferol Rats Facilities 0 0 0.01613 0.00844 lbs 0.041 lbs
Difethialone* Rats Facilities 0.0002813 0.000375 0.00009 0 0
Dinotefuran Aphids Median 1.6 1.8 1.67 20.4 fl oz 0.6 fl oz
Fludioxonil Pink Snow
Mold Golf 0 0 0.03 gal 0 0
Flumioxazin Weeds Grounds 0 0 21.56 fl oz 96.88 fl oz 436.15 fl oz
Flutolanil** Greens Golf 0 0 0 0 0
Fluxapyroxad Anthracnose
foliar disease Golf 0 0 0.392 3.0093 fl oz 3.01 fl oz
Glufosinate-Ammonium Weeds Grounds 0 0 1.998 gal 3.41 gal 0.86 gal
Glyphosate*** Weeds Various 24.37 gal 10.711 gal 13.94 gal 18.48 gal 13.98 gal
Iprodione Greens Golf 1.165 gal 0 0.29 gal 0 0
Attachment A - Pesticide Use
Iron Hedta Weeds Parks 0 0 0 0 0
Isoxaben**** Weeds Medians 13.45 0.5238 gal
2.25 lbs
2.023 248.84 fl oz 90.9 fl oz
Halosulfuron (Methyl-5-3-
chloro-1-methyl-1-H-
pyrazole-4-carboxylate)
Nutsedge
Weeds Median 0 0 0 0
0
Napthaleneacetic Acid Weeds 0 0 0 0 0
Oryzalin (Surflan) Weeds Medians 245.2 fl oz 2.422 gal 0 243.61 fl oz 0
PCNB Fungus Golf 0 31.5 0 9 0
Pendimethalin Weeds Parks 11.2 1.6 0.8 1.6 1.2
Penoxsulam Weeds Golf 1.178 fl oz 0.184 gal 0 0 0
Polyalkyleneoxide Surfactant 10362 Bret 0 0 0 0 0
Potassium Phosphite Fungus Golf 0 0 0 0 0
Propiconazole Pink Snow
Mold Golf 0 2.604 0.12 gal 0.12 gal 0.12 gal
Pyraclostrobin Fungus Golf 9.79 fl oz 0 0.78 6.0018 fl oz
0.342 lbs
6 fl oz
Tebuconazole Fungus Parks 0 0 0 0 0
Thiophanate-Methyl Fire Blight Pear Trees 0.625 gal 0 1.55 gal 0 0
Triclopyr Weeds Facilities 879.48 fl oz 1.007 gal 2.51 gal 97.76 fl oz 5.48 gal
Triticonazole Winter
Fungus Golf 0 0 0 0.387 0
Trends in Quantities and Types of Pesticides Used
Reported as pounds unless otherwise noted
*Use of rodenticide was halted at the Senior Center in 2017-18. Difethialone is used with a risk mitigation measure of putting baits into
tamper resistant boxes to prevent poisoning of non-targeted animals (e.g. dogs). It is used in tiny quantities and is placed in a bait
station and on a concrete block to elevate it from rain and water.
** The City does not use organophosphates, pyrethroids, or carbaryl pesticides and discontinued the use of fipronil in FY 2010-2011.
However, Flutolanil (Prostar) (Not on SF List) was used in FY 13-14 at the rate of 2.2 ounces per thousand square feet for the cure of
Waitea Brown Ring Patch. Flutolanil had been used in the past, and at that time it was on the SF list of approved pesticides. Two
applications were made on the golf course before realizing that the chemical is not on the SF list.
*** Glyphosate is popular because the chemical breaks down fast, but the surfactant used is toxic to aquatic wildlife, so staff does not
use it near the creeks. “Cut and Dab” on cut stems can be used judiciously with but no spraying near the creeks. Glyphosate is on the
San Francisco Reduced-Risk Pesticide List for City-Owned Properties.
**** The Grounds Maintenance Department uses isoxaben and oryzalin as pre-emergents. The City’s Pest Control Advisor selected pre-
emergents to keep the weeds from germinating instead of spraying glyphosate (post-emergent) in larger quantities to kill the weeds
after they emerge. The two active ingredients, particularly when combined, cover a very broad spectrum of weeds therefore requiring
a smaller amount of glyphosate than would otherwise be needed. To reduce pesticide use due to over watering, the City installed drip
systems throughout all City property.
CUPERTINO’S POLICY TO REQUIRE
AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT APPROACH
TO PEST CONTROL AT ALL CITY-MAINTAINED FACILITIES AND PROPERTY
POLICY STATEMENT
The City of Cupertino will carry out its pest management operations, at city-owned facilities, and on
property where the city is responsible to provide facility and landscape maintenance, using reduced-
risk Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
The city, recognizing that some pesticides may be potentially hazardous to human health and the
environment, shall give preference to reasonably available non-pesticide alternatives, and reduced-
risk pesticides, when performing pest control activities.
Departments that apply pesticides will follow an IPM plan whose goal is to ensure the long-term
prevention or suppression of pest problems, while reducing or eliminating the need for chemical pest
controls (to the maximum extent feasible), with minimum negative impact on human health, non-
target organisms, and the environment.
The IPM plan includes pest-specific and site-specific standard operating procedures (describing the
IPM approach used to control common pest problems) and monthly pesticide use summaries. The
city prepares a report each year summarizing and evaluating the pest control activities performed by
city staff and contractors.
The IPM Plan also includes an outreach component to residential and commercial pesticide users,
and mechanisms to discourage pesticide use at new development sites.
No products containing Clopyralid, Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos (Dursban), Chloradane, DDT, Dieldrin or
other organophosphates may be used on city property. Fipronil and pyrethroids including, but not
limited to Deltamethrin and Bifenthrin, may be used by city staff or a city contractor on city property
or property maintained by the city only after all other IPM methods have been tried and with the
approval of the designated city staff person. As of July 2010, these chemicals are not used at city-
maintained facilities or on city property.
City staff are to report pest control problems to the Public Works Facilities Supervisor or to the
Recreation Supervisor at Blackberry Farm. No unauthorized city staff can purchase pesticides for use
at work.
Contracting Pesticide Applicators for Cupertino will sign this form to acknowledge that they are
aware of the city’s Integrated Pest Management policy, the city’s IPM Best Management Practices
(BMPs) and the city’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or IPM Plan for the control of specific
pests.
Contracting Pesticide Applicator Printed Name Date
_______________________________
Contracting Pesticide Applicator Signature
Attachment B