Legislation establishing countywide notification requirements for commercial and residential lawn pesticide applications, which passed through the County Legislature in November 2000, went into effect on March 1.

The legislation effectively signs the county onto a state law passed in mid-2000 that established uniform notification standards for lawn pesticide applications. In addition, the law requires schools and day care centers to provide certain types of notification before and after pesticides are applied on their premises.

According to the legislation, 48-hour written notification of certain pesticide applications must be made to neighboring properties within 150 feet of the application. In addition, people who apply their own lawn pesticides have to flag the treated areas, the way lawn care companies already do.

Residents wishing to minimize exposure to pesticides when they are being applied locally should do so by closing windows; keeping pets and children indoors; covering barbecues, pools, and outdoor furniture; bringing in children's toys, pet bowls, and laundry; and covering gardens, ornamental plants, and bird feeders.

For information about landscapers in the area who utilize safer alternatives to pesticides, and retail stores that offer these effective alternatives, such as low toxic, non-toxic or organic pesticides, call the Long Island Neighborhood Network at 516 541-4321. This organization was instrumental in the passing of the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law.