Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Pesticide Use

Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety What is a pesticide? a substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants.

Pesticide Usage ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Pesticide Usage ADVANTAGES Reduce effects of pests within the landscape Economical Easy DISADVANTAGES Unsafe if applied improperly Kill non-targeted species Run-off (water supply)

Safety First! Take a minute to read the label. Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Pesticide Labels Safety First! Take a minute to read the label. Contain information on: What pests can be managed with the product? How do I handle & store the pesticide? How & when do I apply the pesticide? It is unlawful to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

Labels will include: Brand Name- used to advertise the product Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Labels will include: Brand Name- used to advertise the product Active ingredient- chemical responsible for controlling the pest Product type- indicates what the product will control EPA Registration Number- indicates the pesticide is regulated through the EPA. This number can be helpful when discussing the pesticide because there are oftentimes many similar formulations

Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Labels will include: Inert Ingredients- usually substance used to make chemical mobile Net Content- amount a full container holds Signal Words- indicates the relative toxicity to humans and animals. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN must also appear above the signal word.

SIGNAL WORDS DANGER- POISEN Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety SIGNAL WORDS DANGER- POISEN Product is highly toxic by at least one route of exposure. It may be corrosive, causing irreversible damage to the skin or eyes.

SIGNAL WORDS CONT. Warning Moderately toxic Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety SIGNAL WORDS CONT. Warning Moderately toxic Causes moderate eye/skin irritation Caution Slightly Toxic Causes minor eye/skin irritation

Pesticide Formulations Solids- powders, crystals, granules Liquids- milky water appearance Aerosols- sprayed in a fine mist

Using Pesticides Cont. Wear PPE Personal Protective Equipment Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Using Pesticides Cont. Wear PPE Personal Protective Equipment Long pants Long Sleeves Safety glasses Respirator/Mask Gloves You are at the greatest risk of coming into contact with a harmful concentration of the pesticide during mixing.

Mixing Pesticides Mix in a well ventilated area Wear proper PPE Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Mixing Pesticides Mix in a well ventilated area Wear proper PPE Read instructions!!! Do not mix near water sources You are at the greatest risk of exposure during mixing due to concentration of chemicals

Using Pesticides FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ON LABEL Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Using Pesticides FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ON LABEL Inform others to leave the area Formally post you are using pesticides Do not over concentrate formulation Do not spray in windy conditions Do not spray near water ways Use only in ventilated areas

Storing Pesticides Follow directions on label! Keep out of reach of children Store in ventilated area Keep area locked Store with metal pan underneath in case of damaged packing Leave in original packing

Disposing of Pesticides Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Disposing of Pesticides Its best to use the pesticides Store them for future use Help neighbors treat similar pest problems Contact local disposal agencies Read labels- “STORAGE & DISPOSAL” Do not dump into areas that could lead to a water source

Environmental & Consumer Concerns Objective 3: Pesticide Handling/Safety Environmental & Consumer Concerns Exposure to chemicals can lead to increased risk for cancers Natural resources could become damaged due to contamination of groundwater Pesticides can kill non-target organisms Example: Pesticides used in high temperatures can “drift “ onto other crops causing death of beneficial plants Contact with pesticides can lead to death of small children & others