Pest Management Competencies

Pesticide Safety

Read the label carefully-follow all directions and precautions. Read the label carefully-follow all directions and precautions. Check the recommended uses to be certain it is correct for intended use. Check the recommended uses to be certain it is correct for intended use.

Pesticide Safety

Have clean water and detergents available to clean up spills. Have clean water and detergents available to clean up spills.

Pesticide Safety Wear protective clothing called for on label including rubber chemical gloves or a respirator Wear protective clothing called for on label including rubber chemical gloves or a respirator

Pesticide Safety Apply the chemical with care. Use only amount needed on the target area. Apply the chemical with care. Use only amount needed on the target area. Mix just enough for the job at hand. Mix just enough for the job at hand.

Pesticide Safety Guard against inhaling or swallowing the chemical or its fumes, mist, or dust Guard against inhaling or swallowing the chemical or its fumes, mist, or dust

Pesticide Safety Consider weather conditions and apply when forcasted conditions are favorable, and avoid strong winds and heavy rain Consider weather conditions and apply when forcasted conditions are favorable, and avoid strong winds and heavy rain

Pesticide Safety Store and dispose of chemicals properly. Store and dispose of chemicals properly. Keep in original container, in a locked area, away from children and animals, and away from food or animal feed. Keep in original container, in a locked area, away from children and animals, and away from food or animal feed. Check with cooperative extension or sanitary landfill about proper disposal. Check with cooperative extension or sanitary landfill about proper disposal.

EPA Regulations

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is the agency mandated by Congress to regulate pesticides The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is the agency mandated by Congress to regulate pesticides Pesticides must be approved by the EPA before they can be sold in the U.S. Pesticides must be approved by the EPA before they can be sold in the U.S.

EPA Pesticide Classifications EPA classifies pesticides as general use or restricted use. EPA classifies pesticides as general use or restricted use. Users of restricted use pesticides must be certified applicators or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator Users of restricted use pesticides must be certified applicators or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator Unintentional violations of regulations can result in civil penalties, and intentional violations can result in criminal penalties. Unintentional violations of regulations can result in civil penalties, and intentional violations can result in criminal penalties.

Restricted Entry Restricted Entry Interval Regulations state that: Restricted Entry Interval Regulations state that: –No unprotected person may be in the treated area during pesticide application. –Time from application to reentry is stated –Warnings to workers must be given in a language they understand

Pesticide Records Records must be kept for two years by the applicator of restricted use pesticides Records must be kept for two years by the applicator of restricted use pesticides

Toxicity categories The EPA has established four toxicity categories and reentry times for each The EPA has established four toxicity categories and reentry times for each –Toxicity I –Toxicity II –Toxicity III –Toxicity IV

Toxicity I Labeled with the words “Danger-Poison” Labeled with the words “Danger-Poison” Warning signs must be posted Warning signs must be posted No one may re-enter the treated area for 48 hours after application No one may re-enter the treated area for 48 hours after application

Toxicity II Labeled with the word “Warning” Labeled with the word “Warning” No one may re-enter the treated area for 24 hours No one may re-enter the treated area for 24 hours

Toxicity III Labeled with the word “Caution” Labeled with the word “Caution” Re-entry can occur as soon as the dust or spray mist settles Re-entry can occur as soon as the dust or spray mist settles

Toxicity IV Toxicity IV chemicals have no warning word on the label Toxicity IV chemicals have no warning word on the label Treated areas may be re-entered immediately. Treated areas may be re-entered immediately.