DO MORE HARM THAN OTHERS. FOR OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT. PLANTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA FROM FROM AUSTRALIA FOR EIGHT YEARS. RESA. RYAN. OH, THIS IS WHERE I HIDE. I MUCH PREFER TO BE IN MY GARDEN THAN TALKING TO PEOPLE. USED HER GREEN THUMB TO GIVE NEW LIFE. NO, MY KIDS ARE MUCH LESS WELL BEHAVED TO HER DREAM GARDEN. IF YOU LOVE THE EARTH, IT’S A GREAT WAY TO LIVE. BUT WITH PLANTS COMES PESTS. IF THEY’RE IN MY YARD, THEY’RE OKAY FOR THE MOST PART. IF THEY’RE IN MY HOUSE, NO. IN LATE NOVEMBER, THAT CAN MEAN A COLONY OF ANTS. BUT BEFORE YOU GO BUY PESTICIDE WATER RESOURCE OFFICIALS WITH SACRAMENTO COUNTY HAVE A WARNING ABOUT A COMMON CHEMICAL CALLED PYRETHROIDS THAT ARE NOW ENDING UP IN OUR RIVERS AND CREEKS. WE KNOW PESTS CAN BE A NUISANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS, BUT NOW THAT WE’RE GETTING RAIN, SOME OF THOSE CHEMICALS CAN ACTUALLY WASH OFF YOUR YARD AND RIGHT INTO STORM DRAINS. SO YOU GO OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, YOU FIND OUT WHERE THE ANTS ARE SNEAKING IN. SO WE WENT STRAIGHT TO AN EXPERT, A UC MASTER GARDENER, WHO RECOMMENDS USING CAULK TO SEAL CRACKS. THE ANT TAKES ONE BITE, TAKES IT HOME TO SHARE WITH EVERYBODY HE KNOWS. KILLING THE COLONY FOR YOU, OR ANT BAIT INSTEAD OF CHEMICAL SPRAYS TO SAVE OUR NATURAL ECOSYSTEM. PESTICIDES DON’T ALWAYS TELL YOU WHAT THEY KILL BY ACCIDENT. BEES, EARTHWORMS, LACEWINGS, ALL THESE GOOD GUYS. THEY DON’T TELL YOU THAT. FROM THE GOOD BUGS TO FISH AND AQUATIC ANIMALS THAT EXPERTS SAY COULD HAVE NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE FROM PESTICIDES THAT LINGER IN OUR WATERWAYS FOR YEARS. THE PESTICIDES THAT WE’RE RELEASING HAVE THE ABILITY TO LAST, PERSIST WAY PAST THE PROBLEM. THE TIME THAT THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE’S OTHER OPTIONS OUTSIDE PESTICIDES FOR PEOPLE. A LOT OF OPTIONS BESIDES PESTICIDES. BECAUSE REMEMBER, IF WE USE A PESTICIDE, BUT WE DON’T STOP THE PROBLEM FROM COMING BACK. WE HAVE TO GO GET MORE OF THIS PESTICIDE, MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE LIKE RYAN, PESTS CAN BE A PROBLEM. BUT HER SOLUTION IS SIMPLY NATURAL ALTERNATIVES. WE GOT TO PROTECT THE EARTH. IT’S THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE. IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CECIL. HANNIBAL. KCRA THREE NEWS. WHEN YOU HIRE PROFESSIONALS FOR PEST CONTROL, WATER OFFICIALS SAY THEY LOOK FOR AN IPM CERTIFICATION. THAT MEANS THE PEST COMPANY USES PRODUC
Sacramento County warns against harmful pesticides as ant season approaches
Updated: 7:03 PM PST Nov 25, 2025
Sacramento County water officials are warning residents about the environmental impact of using certain pesticides to treat ants and other pests. “We’re getting a lot of rain, and with that, sometimes the rain can pick up pesticides or chemicals that are around our homes,” said Jeanette Huddleston with the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources.Huddleston says when the pesticides aren’t used correctly or in excess, the rain can wash chemicals off your lawn and right into storm drains.Right now, water officials are monitoring a chemical commonly used in pesticides to treat ants called pyrethroids, which she says is ending up in waterways and marshes across Northern California.Water officials say it can cause harm to fish, birds, and aquatic life by affecting their nervous systems. “Pesticides are about to attach to soil and drift away…somewhat in a dormant state until it travels in the water for 100 miles, maybe up to four years, until it reaches those exact right circumstances, the right temperature, the right light. Once it becomes awake, it starts doing its job of killing, persuading and dissuading. But it’s no longer killing the ants in your home, it’s out there in the marshes, killing things that fish need,” said Julie Barbour, a University of California Master Gardener.Barbour recommends using alternative solutions, such as ant bait, or using caulk to seal any cracks or openings outside your home instead of spraying chemicals. Water officials also advise residents to hire pest control professionals with an IPM certification, ensuring they work to stop pest problems while minimizing harm to other insects and wildlife.For more information on eco-friendly pest control, water officials say to visit the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership’s website.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Sacramento County water officials are warning residents about the environmental impact of using certain pesticides to treat ants and other pests.
“We’re getting a lot of rain, and with that, sometimes the rain can pick up pesticides or chemicals that are around our homes,” said Jeanette Huddleston with the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources.
Huddleston says when the pesticides aren’t used correctly or in excess, the rain can wash chemicals off your lawn and right into storm drains.
Right now, water officials are monitoring a chemical commonly used in pesticides to treat ants called pyrethroids, which she says is ending up in waterways and marshes across Northern California.
Water officials say it can cause harm to fish, birds, and aquatic life by affecting their nervous systems.
“Pesticides are about to attach to soil and drift away…somewhat in a dormant state until it travels in the water for 100 miles, maybe up to four years, until it reaches those exact right circumstances, the right temperature, the right light. Once it becomes awake, it starts doing its job of killing, persuading and dissuading. But it’s no longer killing the ants in your home, it’s out there in the marshes, killing things that fish need,” said Julie Barbour, a University of California Master Gardener.
Barbour recommends using alternative solutions, such as ant bait, or using caulk to seal any cracks or openings outside your home instead of spraying chemicals.
Water officials also advise residents to hire pest control professionals with an IPM certification, ensuring they work to stop pest problems while minimizing harm to other insects and wildlife.
For more information on eco-friendly pest control, water officials say to visit the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership’s website.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel