Dill quoted in Press Herald Maine Gardener column
Jim Dill, a pest management specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke with the Portland Press Herald for the latest column in the Maine Gardener series, titled “Pesticides may get rid of ticks, but at what cost?” Bifenthrin, used to spray yards; and permethrin, used mostly to treat clothing to repel ticks, are man-made versions of a material found in chrysanthemums, and they work by attacking the nervous system of insects, according to the article. An official with Beyond Pesticides, an anti-pesticide group based in Washington, D.C., said the pesticides also can attack the nervous system of other species including people, pets and fish, the article states. However, Dill said if label directions are followed carefully, the risk of danger to humans and other creatures in using bifenthrin is low, and that it is the best option for killing ticks.