Print Version
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
March 20, 1998
Contact: Briggs Hall (425) 775-1311, ext. 108 or Russell Link (425) 775-1311, ext. 110
Improper use of insecticide believed responsible for dead waterfowl
SEATTLE --Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists today said
improper use of the lawn insecticide diazinon may be responsible for the deaths of
several dozen ducks in the greater Seattle area.
The birds are believed to have died after ingesting a pellet form of the
insecticide while feeding on lawns in the Lynnwood, Bothell and Redmond areas,
according to WDFW veterinarian Briggs Hall.
"All evidence points to diazinon as the culprit," Hall said. "We've had four
separate reports from citizens, and evidence collected at several of the sites revealed
the ducks had been grazing on lawns where pellet lawn products containing diazinon
had been applied."
Diazinon is widely used to keep crane flies and other insects under control. The
product is commonly mixed with lawn fertilizers.
Package instructions prepared by diazinon manufacturers typically caution
gardeners against using diazinon, or any fertilizer containing the product, in areas
where waterfowl and other wildlife may be present or come to feed, Briggs said.
|
