Irvine goes organic for pest, weed management

Non Toxic Irvine board members stand near a track at Canyon View Elementary School. From left, Bob Johnson, Kathleen Hallal, Ayn Craciun (with daughter Nina, 2) and Kim Konte are working together to get government agencies and homeowners associations to stop using synthetic pesticides in favor of organic methods. Photo: MINDY SCHAUER, OC REGISTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

IRVINE, Calif. - Organic pesticides will be the first line of defense for Irvine in fighting bugs and weeds, members of the Irvine City Council decided Tuesday.

Officials voted unanimously to stop using synthetic pesticides in response to a group of residents, who in 2015 formed the advocacy group Non Toxic Irvine to lobby governmental agencies and homeowners associations to manage plants and pests using organic methods and substances.

"In all cases, if pesticides are required organic pesticides would be used first," said Dennis Chiotti, Irvine's landscape maintenance superintendent. "Synthetic pesticides would be used only if other treatment options failed."

Irvine has been experimenting with organic alternatives since November, when members of Non Toxic Irvine first reached out.

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