Sen. Stillman Joins Senate Vote for Non-Toxic Lawn Care at Schools

A press release issued by the Office of State Senator Andrea Stillman:

State Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, the Senate Chair of the legislature’s Education Committee, voted Wednesday with a unanimous state Senate to amend current state law and allow the use of certain non-toxic, microbial and biochemical grub control products on school grounds.   

Current state law specifies an outright ban on chemical pesticides on the grounds of any school or child care center with students up through 8th grade; but some groundskeepers are unable to control damaging grubs as a result.   

“This bill strikes an agreeable compromise and allows a balanced approach to grub control using non-toxic chemical means,” Senator Stillman said. “Only three types of grub control products are acceptable under provisions of this bill: microbial or biochemical pesticides registered with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, horticultural soaps and oils similarly registered, and grub control products without an EPA warning on its label.”   

Senator Stillman explained that microbial pesticides contain microorganisms as the active ingredient, which in turn attacks grubs; biochemical pesticides contain naturally occurring substances that control pests without toxicity.   

“All across Connecticut grubs have the ability to destroy the roots of grass plants and transform a lawn into bare soil in short order,” Senator Stillman said. “The balanced approach embodied in this bill allows groundskeepers to counter grubs and preserve their grass plants, so students can play on healthy turf, with EPA-certified non-toxic chemicals so the good health of students isn’t jeopardized in that manner.”   

Senator Stillman said that after Wednesday's unanimous vote, Senate Bill 917 now advances to the House of Representatives for its consideration.