Montgomery Parks Integrated Pest Management Program & Pesticide Use

Integrated Pest Management Program and Pesticide Use

Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland including 420 parks, 275 playgrounds, 362 athletic fields, and many other amenities. The Department follows Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles to steward resources and protect them from pests (weeds, insects, animals, and diseases) that may harm people or plants, impair function, and deteriorate infrastructure. IPM means managing pests by combining multiple strategies and techniques such as mechanical removal of pests, cultural methods to improve soil and plant health, conserving and introducing beneficial biological controls, and using pesticides.

The Parks Department does not use pesticides for cosmetic purposes. Pesticides are used as a last resort to control noxious and invasive pests, maintain safe and playable athletic fields and courts, and prevent significant economic damage, including degradation of park infrastructure.

Staff who apply pesticides and fertilizers are certified and registered with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Montgomery Parks is committed to balancing the demand for recreation while protecting and conserving our valuable natural and cultural resources to meet the needs of current and future generations.

What is Montgomery County Code 33B?

County Code Chapter 33B went into effect July 1, 2016.  The code presents guidelines for pesticide use in Montgomery County, including on county property and parkland. The goal of the code “is to inform the public about pesticide applications and minimize the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes, while not restricting the ability to use pesticides in agriculture, for the protection of public health, or for other public benefits.”  Learn more about Montgomery County’s pesticide law.

What is Montgomery Parks doing to comply with the law? 

Montgomery Parks continues to implement IPM strategies to ensure pesticides are used as a last resort.   Montgomery Parks manages all playgrounds, community gardens and common lawn areas within local parks without the use of pesticides.  In 2016, Montgomery Parks designated ten pesticide-free parks. In 2019, the program expanded to 45 pesticide-free parks and in 2022, the program expanded further to include 55 pesticide-free parks. To manage pests in parks that are designated pesticide-free, staff use alternative methods, such as hot foam, string trimming, mechanical weed removal, and products approved for use by Montgomery County Code 33B. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection examples of products allowed in pesticide-free parks under the law.

The below table includes a schedule of upcoming pesticide applications.*  The list is updated to provide at least 48-hour notice for applications.

*Montgomery Parks staff make every effort to notify the community on this webpage when a pesticide application is scheduled in a public area. Dates of applications may change or be canceled due to weather; also, occasional emergency applications may be needed.

Park Name	Planned Application Date Range	Planned Application Time	Area To Be Treated	Application Details
Rock Creek Regional Park	7/22 – 8/30	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Floodplain area north of Southlawn Lane, east of the paved hiking/biking trail and portion of hillside on eastern side of floodplain	Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds (Japanese stiltgrass) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Brookside Gardens	8/26-8/30	6:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Permanent planting beds in Gude Garden and Gingko Canopy above upper aqautic	Aquaneat and/or Roundup Custom Aquatic will be applied to selective grass or broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park	8/26-8/30	7 a.m. – 3 p.m.	North of basketball court on the west side of the paved path between the stream and path	Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
South Germantown Recreational Park	8/26-8/30	6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Beds, tree rings, cracks on paths	Cheetah will be applied to weeds and grasses to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Hoyles Mill Conservation Park	8/26-9/6	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Forested area north of River Road and east of Hoyles Mill Trail/gravel road (between gravel trail and first drainage/stream to the east)	AquaNeat and/or Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds (Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park	8/26-9/6	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Beds, pavers	Prosecutor Pro and/or Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park	8/26-9/6	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Beds	Three-Way will be applied to broadleaf weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park	8/26-9/6	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Beds, pavers	Fusilade 2 will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings.
Agricultural History Farm Park	8/26-9/6	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Areas along fields, equipment storage areas	Transline will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Laytonia Recreational Park	8/26-9/6	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Johnsongrasses around edge of park	Volunteer will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park	8/26-9/6	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Beds	Sedge Hammer will be applied to nutsedge to protect plantings.
Brookside Gardens	9/2-9/6	6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Aquatic Gardens landscape beds	AquaNeat will be applied to invasive weeds (Canada thistle, Houttuynia cordata) to protect plantings.
Greenwood Local Park	9/1-9/13	6 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Common areas	Cheetah will be applied to noxious weeds (thistles, johnsongrass, shattercane) to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Brookside Gardens	9/2-9/6	6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Visitor Center (South Terrace)	Home Plate will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Capital Crescent Trail Special Park	9/2-9/13	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Natural area north of Little Falls Parkway, between Capital Crescent Trail and Bethesda Pool	Roundup Custom will be applied to invasive weeds (porcelainberry, bush honeysuckle, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Rachel Carson Conservation Park	9/2-9/13	7 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Forested hilldside on both sides of Fern Valley Trail beginning just past Chestnut Oak Trail	AquaNeat and/or Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds (barberry, multiflora rose, bittersweet, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Darby Store Cultural Park	9/3-9/13	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Landscape beds, curbs	Prosecutor Pro and/or SureGuard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings.
Dry Seneca Creek Stream Valley Unit #1	9/3-9/13	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	fence line pavers	Prosecutor Pro and/or SureGuard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Owens Local Park	9/3-9/13	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Landscape beds, curbs	Prosecutor Pro and/or SureGuard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Olney Manor Recreational Park	9/4-9/13	6 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Baseball field 1	Headway will be applied to turfgrass (fungal disease protection) to support plant or turf health.
Olney Manor Recreational Park	9/4-9/13	6 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Field 1, 2, 3, 4, 5	Dylox will be applied to turfgrass (insect pests) to support plant or turf health.
Northwest Branch Recreational Park	9/4-9/13	6 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Field 1, 2, 3, 4, 5	Dylox will be applied to turfgrass (insect pests) to support plant or turf health.
Hillandale Local Park	9/5-9/6	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Reforestation area east of picnic pavilion	Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds (porcelainberry, etc.) to protect plantings.
Ray’s Meadow Local Park	9/5-9/6	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Reforestation area west and northwest of playground	Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds (porcelainberry, etc.) to protect plantings.
Layhill Local Park	9/5-9/6	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Reforestation area northeast of playground	Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds (porcelainberry, etc.) to protect plantings.
Rock Creek Stream Valley Park #11	9/6-9/13	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Field along the road	Transline will be applied to johnsongrass to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
South Germantown Recreational Park	9/9	7 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Pond	Seclear or Captain XTR will be applied to algae to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
South Germantown Recreational Park	9/9	7 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Pond shoreline	AquaNeat or Diquat Herbicide or Komeen or Flumigard will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Great Seneca Stream Valley Park	9/9-9/13	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Stream valley	Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Brookside Gardens	9/10	8 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Area surrounding the Conservatory	AquaNeat will be applied to invasive weeds (hydrocotyl, various broadleaf) to protect plantings.
Brookside Gardens	9/11	8 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Bulb Lawn, Yew Garden turf, Gude Field turf area	Solitaire WSL will be applied to invasive weeds (invasive Pennisetum, nutsedge, Creeping Charlie) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Kemp Mill Urban Park	9/16	7 a.m. – 12 p.m.	Pond	Captain XTR will be applied to algae to maintain proper function.
Martin Luther King Recreational Park	9/16	7 a.m. – 12 p.m.	Pond	Captain XTR and/or AquaNeat will be applied to algae and aquatic invasive plants to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Olney Manor Recreational Park	9/16-9/27	6 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Athletic fields 1, 2, 3, 4, 5	Dylox will be applied to turfgrass (insect pests) to support plant or turf health.
Northwest Branch Recreational Park	9/16-9/27	6 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Athletic fields 1, 2, 3, 5	Dylox will be applied to turfgrass (insect pests) to support plant or turf health.
Royce Hanson Conservation Park	9/16-9/27	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Forested areas of parkland, west of agricultural fields, south of Club Hollow Rd.	Roundup Cusotm and/or Garlon 3A will be to applied invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Hoyles Mill Conservation Park	9/16-9/27	7 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Forested areas across from the pump station	AquaNeat will be applied invasive weeds (Barberry, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park	9/16-9/28	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Landscape/planting beds	Three-Way will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park	9/16-9/28	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Landscape/planting beds	Fusilade 2 will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park	9/16-9/28	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Beds, paver pathway	Prosecutor Pro and/or SureGuard will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Germantown Square Urban Park	9/16-9/28	6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Beds, paver pathway	Prosecutor Pro and/or SureGuard will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
Long Branch Stream Valley Unit #2	9/16-10/4	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Forested areas south of E. Wayne Ave., between stream valley property lines	Roundup Cusotm and/or Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.

On-site Signage Procedures:

• White prenotification signs are placed in advance of an application to playing fields, managed turf and treatments within 25 feet of a stream or creek. The signs list the planned application date, product, and the reason for the application.
• Yellow signs are installed at the site at the time of application and remain in place at least 48 hours following the pesticide application. For more information, call the phone number listed on the back of the sign.