Iowa Department of Agriculture rules against company that applied herbicide on lawns at Luther College campus

An Iowa Department of Agriculture official has ruled that a Des Moines lawn care company violated Iowa Code by improperly using a registered pesticide in May at Luther College.

The State has issued a warning to Kevin Wicks of "No Lawn Left Behind," saying the company applied Horsepower Selective Herbicide to the municipal pool area of Luther College campus.  While the company's records stated the winds were less than 5 mph on May 25th, less than 13 mph on May 26th and less than 9 mph on May 27th, Pesticide Investigator Steve Van Helten checked the State of Iowa's climatologist's reports, which showed that while the winds were less than 5 mph on May 25th, there were gusts up to 28 mph on May 26th and gusts up to 24 mph on May 27th.  The State of Iowa's ruling noted "These wind speeds were recorded during the specific times of application."

Van Helten also collected a vegetation sample on May 30th from grass located between a bike rack and parking lot at the municipal pool.  A lab analysis of the vegetation sample found a small amount of residue of MCPA, an active ingredient in Horsepower herbicide. 

The State's ruling concluded, "The Pesticide Bureau requires your cooperation in the safe use and handling of all pesticide products to include reading and following all labeling directions and precautionary statements.  Failure to take the steps necessary to correct violations and prevent repeat violations may result in civil penalty.  This notice of warning will be placed in your file."