Why Does the Pink Flamingo in My Lawn Say “Keep Off Until Dry”?

Many people think the little Pink Flamingo sign I leave in the yard is cute. And some, specifically the mentally ill “chemi-phobics” , see the posting sign as a “skull and crossbones” warning them of the death and destruction that was sprayed on your lawn. Personally, I think it is a piece of trash I had to leave in your lawn - that’s why I put it near the mail box or trash can so you can easily throw it away.

So if it is just a cute piece of trash that scars the mentally ill, why bother posting the property to “Stay off Until Dry”? Because it is the law - an outdated law, but it is the law!

History of the Posting Sign

Manufactured insecticides are a fairly new invention – since about 1945. They were few regulations on the new industry and most of the insecticides were very primitive. They were basically poisons - skull and crossbones poisons. These primitive insecticides were harmful - they were lethal – they could kill you, your children and your pets.

But, mostly the insecticides were used on agricultural crops – large acreages often applied by crop dusters. Farmers were required to post notices at each field to warn the farm workers – Danger: Do not Enter.

Lawn Spraying Used the Same Insecticides

During the late 60’s early ‘70’s there was a growing lawn spraying industry that applied insecticides to home lawns – the same insecticides used for agricultural crops.

And there was a growing concern over the hazards of applying these primitive insecticides to residential areas. So they passed laws that lawns treated with insecticides had to have a sign posted on the property warning adults, children and pets stay off until dry. That’s the posting sign law and it is still on the books today – some 40 years later.

New Laws - New Insecticides

During that 40 years since the posting sign law, new regulations and laws on insecticides were created. The laws were so restrictive that the primitive insecticides could no longer be used on home lawns. Many thought that was the end of the lawn spraying industry.

But chemical engineers discovered how to manufacturer naturally occurring insecticides – like those found in marigolds and chrysanthemums . These natural occurring insecticides were harmless to adults, children and pets. These are the modern insecticides.

Natural Botanicals: Safe and Effective

The modern insecticides are safe and very effective. They are so safe, the flea shampoo for your pet – it’s the same insecticide I spray on your lawn. And yet so effective, I use less than one teaspoon of insecticide for an entire lawn.

Outdated Law

So the old dangerous primitive insecticides have been replaced with modern ultra-safe insecticides that are safe for you, your children and your pets. The insecticides have changed dramatically over the past 40 years - but nobody changed the law for posting signs. And that is why I post your property with a warning telling you to stay off until dry - because of an outdated law.

And as a jab at the bureaucrats, my warning sign is NOT the international symbol of death – the skull and crossbones - but a playful pink flamingo – the international symbol of lawns.