I did not ask this question to start a war. Pesticides have their
place. I prefer to use as few as possible. I spot treat for weeds
with a hand sprayer, cut the grass long, and only use organic
fertilizers on the lawn. The problem is my lawn is in very poor
condition. (I got it in this condition.) I guess I agree that I have
a marginal grub problem, but the lawn was already open and patchy and
it is getting worse as the grubs concentrate on the once healthier
areas. I am actually kind of peeved that I have had to use three
different poisons on my lawn and still with no results.

All that 'escapee' wrote is true, but as a pesticide it NEEDS to have
those properties. Just like a gun would not be a gun if it did not
kill. As for why Diazinon was banned. Newer research found that it
might be a special hazard to children. Under new EPA regs, to keep it
on the market manufacturers would have had to do new expensive tox
studies. The margins were just not there for the product. So they and
the EPA signed consent decree to phase out residential uses.

Quoting the EPA: "EPA is conducting a review of diazinon as
part of its effort to address the tough, new
safety standards established by the 1996 Food
Quality Protection Act...
This action adds a greater measure of
protection for children by eliminating the most
important sources of children's exposure."

escapee wrote:

Do you think they outlawed it because of it's greatness? It is a neurotoxin and
can kill you, cause cancer, and a whole host of other neuro diseases. How silly
people are.


I think they outlawed it because stupid people were spraying it on
golf
courses (against the label directions) and killing people, or
broadcasting it by the hundreds of pounds on their lawns whether they
had grubs or not and contaminating the ground water. I don't think
they
banned it because I use it once or twice every July to spray my apple
tree to prevent apple maggots because malathion isn't strong enough.
(it
is listed for this.)

Bob