Question
I recently found out that my landlord used a bag of weed and feed that I had left over from last year on my lawn, and did not bother to tell me.  It has been over a week now, and I am concerned for both our family dog and our childrens safety.  I am aware of the precautions that the bag recommended.  But, unfortunately was not given any warning that these chemicals were put on the lawn, not allowing me to take any precautions.  Our family pet goes out daily and could of very easily been exposed to the chemicals, along with my two children. After contacting my landlord today, he mentioned that he put it on the lawn last weekend, and that he sprayed it off about four or five days later!  Please tell me if I need to be worried, and any suggestions on what I can and should do would be greatly appreciated.

Concerned in Michigan.

Answer
Adrianne, THOUSANDS of communities in the U.S. have Codes that require -- REQUIRE -- that people living adjacent to, or at the same address as, the site of a pesticide or herbicide location be NOTIFIED of its use.  Sometimes they must also place colored flags when the chemical(s) is applied and/or a sign of what was applied and when, plus a WARNING to keep off the Grass because of the chemicals.

You should read this landlord the riot act.  What this individual did was outrageous.  But typically ignorant.

Remember, Adrianne, most people put this stuff on their own lawns!  (You, yourself, last year?)

There is no doubt in the world that your pets and children were 'exposed' to these chemicals.  I know you don't want to hear it was unfortunate but I have to make that statement because it's an uphill battle getting people to understand that these are very bad for us.  Short term and long term.

Spraying those chemicals off 4 or 5 days later would be a ridiculous thing to do.  I can't see any reason the landlord would do that unless the landlord is nervous.  In which case he would say he did but wouldn't do it.  Besides, what good is it if your children were already there on the grass?

So go look up your local code at your Town Hall or your City Hall, maybe your library will have something on hand, and make sure he knows what he did was illegal.

He will be punished -- simply fearing the hand of the law and all the civil suits that could follow will ensure he will never do this again.

Next, give him/her a choice.  Weed and Feed is not the only way to grow Grass.  They just do the most advertising.

Now let's get to your case of nerves.

Yes, everybody was exposed.  But you know, Adrianne, this is an ongoing thing that you rarely are informed about.  All those chemicals on the fruits and vegetables, all those chemicals in the chickens and the cows, those are just the tip of the iceberg.  Occasional exposure to Weed and Feed will not be the lightning bolt that changes everything.  This is an ongoing problem, made less by you because you are able to minimize exposure.

Is your landlord spraying for bugs?

That's a REAL problem.  Some places exterminate monthly, or even weekly.  No pesticides odor?  The latest pesticides are designed to be almost undetectable.  Make sure your landlord isn't doing you any favors there, either.

Get the dog and the kids a nice long shower -- bathing could soak it in -- and explain to them what toxic means.  They'll grow up ready to resist those Superbowl and U.S. Open Lawn Care commercials.  Then go give your landlord a piece of MY mind.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.