Pesticide treatment to begin on trees, bushes

YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -- The garrison will start treating trees and bushes with pesticides to reduce damage from insects and bugs.

"During warm and hot seasons, pesticide applications are frequently required to protect our natural resources from pest attacks," said Yi Kyu-ung, pest control foreman at U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Directorate of Public Works. "Our foremost concern, however, is to keep Yongsan community members safe and aware."

This is a two-phase project. The first starts when DPW workers inject capsules filled with pesticide into trees. This starts next week and will last about one month.

The second phase involves spraying insecticides onto trees, shrubs and turf grass as needed.

"It will be monitored from beginning to end," said Enrique Blanco, chief of the DPW Roads and Grounds Branch. "There will be spraying only during periods without wind, and we will hand out brochures to inform garrison residents ahead of time."

Community members should be careful to avoid pesticide sprays and tree injections that may be harmful, Yi said. Injections will occur mostly along the tree-lined streets.

"We will put up signs on the spraying vehicles," Yi said. "We will also station cones around the sprayed area before, during and after the spray until the application has dried. The pesticide capsules will be removed from the tree trunks when the injection is complete."

Pesticides under normal conditions dry up in about 40 minutes. Once dry, they are not harmful, Yi said. In case of rain or extreme humidity, however, Yi advised people to stay away from the treated areas until the grounds have fully dried.

"While the health hazard to humans by contact or inhaling the pesticide sprays is virtually nonexistent, community members must make sure their kids and pets don't approach the control area," Yi said.

Some other precautions:

Aca,!Ac If in a vehicle, passengers should keep the windshields closed

Aca,!Ac If you or your vehicle comes into contact with the chemicals, wash the affected areas with warm water and soap

Aca,!Ac If any unusual symptoms arise, seek medical help