Roundup and Chemical Reduction through Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Roundup and Other Herbicides

Rossmoor is actively reducing the amount of ALL chemicals used in the landscape, including Roundup. Some Mutuals have gone organic, but even in those that have not, we have adapted our practices to minimize usage. These strategies include;

• Semi-annual mulching to reduce the opportunity for weeds
• Lawn reductions (turf is the most chemical-intensive landscape by far)
• Long-term conversions to targeted irrigation
• Exploration of other effective weed eradication solutions

Meanwhile, if you are concerned about your pets coming into contact with herbicides, consider the 3-T’s. The 3-T’s means synthetic herbicide, including Roundup, is only used on Tuesdays and Thursdays before Twelve (noon) and is not allowed outside these designated times. This does not apply to organic herbicides however, as they need to be applied much more frequently.

If you do walk your pets during these designated times, you’ll know where herbicide has been used by the blue dye. This is used to indicate that an herbicide (either organic or synthetic) has recently been applied.

Management cannot influence each Mutual’s decision to ‘go organic,’ as it does increase coupon cost. If you are interested in implementing an organic-only rule, contact the members of your Mutual’s board of directors.

Please do not confront the gardeners or spray technicians in the field, as they are following instructions from their supervisors.

For a YouTube video explaining our chemical reduction strategy in depth, click here.

For an article about Roundup, click here.

For a PDF about Rossmoor Roundup use, read here.