The City of Merced is committed to utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that promotes economic, long-term suppression of pests with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. The local Merced Municipal Code Title 15, Division III—Storm Water Management and Discharge Control, 15.50.120 (E.) —Reduction of pollutants in storm water requires: “Compliance with Best Management Practices. Every person or entity, including the above-listed categories, undertaking any activity or use of premises that may cause or contribute to storm water pollution or contamination, or illicit or illegal discharges shall comply with Best Management Practice (BMPs) consistent with the California Storm Water Quality Association (CASQA) Best Management Practice Handbooks or equivalent guidelines.”

Pesticides (which include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides) are just one type of pollutant that can make their way into the city storm drain system and ultimately, our waterways. While pesticides can help control pests, their overuse and misuse can harm the environment and human health. When pesticides are applied around homes, businesses, parks, schools, and other agricultural or landscaped areas, rain from a storm event can wash these pesticides into local storm drains. This stormwater runoff ends up flowing directly into local creeks like Bear Creek, Black Rascal Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and streams where it is carried to larger bodies of water like the San Joaquin River, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and ultimately to the San Francisco Bay/Pacific Ocean.

Where possible, prevention is often easier and less hazardous than control, and we encourage all citizens to make efforts to prevent pests from taking hold to reduce efforts to control pests with pesticides. Join us in preventing stormwater runoff pesticide pollution in our communities by using the tips recommended by Pestec.  

However, pests happen, and we’d like to highlight resources for citizens to address pest problems and provide options for less toxic pest management:

 Free tools to help you identify your pest:

UC IPM provides various online tools to help diagnose home pest problems:

• Pest Notes provides in-depth information on insect pests and alternative control measures.

• Vertebrate Pest Control Education provides control recommendations for bird, mammal, and reptile pests.

• Plant Problem Diagnostic tool from UC IPM can be used to identify pest problems from plant damage or other plant indicators. 

You can also consult your local specialists at UC Master Gardeners of Merced County if you would prefer local pest help. 

Comprehensive guides to pest control and pesticide safety for home users:

• The University of California Statewide IPM (UC IPM), Pesticides: Safe and Effective Use in the Home and Landscape.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety.

Additional resources to help choose the least toxic method of addressing pest problems:

• Our Water - Our World is a website that provides fact sheets on how to manage pests in a least-toxic way, contains information for hiring eco-friendly and effective pest control companies, and a tool to help find store locations that offer pesticide products that are less toxic for your family, pets, and the environment.

Merced County Regional Waste Authority (RWA)
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Disposal:

Merced County and City residents can drop off your unwanted pesticide, fungicide, herbicide and fertilizer products (less than 5 gallons) for free Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Larger amounts must be taken to a HHW Collection Event.

Highway 59 Landfill
7040 N Highway 59
Merced, CA 95341

For a more detailed list of HHW items and drop off locations please visit RWA's website at https://mcrwma.org/31/Household-Hazardous-Waste or contact MCRWA at (209) 723-4481.