Guidelines for the proper use of pesticides

The Division of Environmental Quality wants the community to be mindful of health and safety regulations when applying pesticides at home, in the garden, or at your farm area.

A pesticide is any substance used to control pests. Pests may be target insects, vegetation, fungi, etc. Most control the pests by poisoning them. Unfortunately, pesticides can be poisonous to humans; some are very poisonous, or toxic, and may seriously injure or even kill humans. Others are relatively non-toxic.

Pesticides can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or mouth. The most important thing to remember is that you should always use caution whenever you work with any pesticide! Be Informed and Be Diligent.

BE INFORMED.

– The purpose of a pesticide is to kill specific pests, so read the label before you even purchase the product. The label is the law, and there is nothing funny about the oft-spoken opinion that “nobody reads the label”. You wouldn’t take a prescription without reading the directions carefully, and it is just as important to read the pesticide label thoroughly—you are legally obligated to read everything except the information about crops that you are not planning to treat.

– The directions for use and the rest of the information are equally important. Review the signal word, precautionary statements, personal protective equipment requirements, reentry statements, emergency first aid measures, etc., as many times as necessary to fully understand them and ensure you are willing to follow them.

– Do not deny it’s a pesticide. “I don’t use pesticides, I use…..” Ant or rodent baits? Fertilizers that also control pests? Treated seed? Aerosols that control pests? Flea collars? Natural chemicals like sulfur and copper? If it contains a chemical that controls pests, use all appropriate stewardship practices and don’t be complacent.

BE DILIGENT.

– Prior to applying pesticides, you need to plan what to apply, when to apply, how to apply, and where to apply.

If you live in a residential area and you’ll be applying pesticides in your garden or small farm plot, then you must inform your neighbors what time of day and where you will be applying. If they have children or small animals (pets), they must be informed so they can take precautionary actions to safeguard their care and area (i.e., keep windows closed).

– Prior to applying, ensure you have all the required personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling the pesticide and during the pesticide application.

– Prepare only the amount you need. Do not dispose of any excess by applying it to a registered crop or site, if possible.

– Do take the weather into consideration. Do not apply any kind of pesticide when winds are moderate (greater than 8 mph), or rainfall is imminent. These conditions may decrease performance of the pesticide and/or move it off-target. You’re compromising the health of yourself and your neighbor when pesticides are applied when wind is present and rain is about to fall. Drift management at the time of application is the legal responsibility of the applicator to minimize drift.

– Focus on the application. A little more is not better. Increasing the rate beyond the maximum allowed on the label for the specific use has absolutely no advantages. The maximum residue level, or tolerance, is the legally enforceable maximum concentration of a pesticide residue that is allowed on an agricultural commodity at the point of market. Higher than labeled rates can also promote the development of resistance and will add cost.

DEQ cautions that there are health effects of pesticides, depending on the type of pesticide. Pesticides are designed to kill pests but many can also pose risks to people, thus, DEQ requests any person, including farm worker or homeowners to understand the various situations for applying pesticides and following cautionary statements.

Don’t leave stewardship to your neighbors. Your actions do make a difference, and you can (and should) model the way for others, including your children as they reach adulthood and begin handling pesticides.

Sooner or later, many of us will choose to use pesticides. Please use them wisely. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]