Pesticides

Toxicity Environmental Protection Agency – EPA Has established standards for handling of pesticides

Routes poisons enter body Oral contact - mouth Dermal – skin Inhalation – breathing

Children Major concern is with swallowing People who apply pesticides are more likely to be affected through inhalation or dermal contact

Organophosphates Pass rapidly through the skin Back of hands, wrists, armpits, back of neck, groin and feet

Cuts & Scrapes Make entry of chemicals easier

Chemicals that vaporize Have strong odor Or is a fine dust or mist Easily inhaled and absorbed through the lungs

Types of toxicity Acute How poisonous a pesticide is after a single exposure

Acute Pesticides are generally rated according to their acute toxicity

Chronic How poisonous a chemical is over a period of time and repeated exposure

Chronic Danger in chemicals that accumulate in the body DDT is an example of one of these chemicals, it is banned in the US

Measuring Acute Toxicity Oral and Dermal LD50 stands for Lethal dose Amount to cause death

LD50 50 means that 50% of test animals were killed by this dose

LD50 The lower the LD50 number of a chemical is the more poisonous it it

LD50 Values are given in milligrams of substance per kilogram of test animal body weight Ie: parts per million

Inhalation Toxicity LC50 Lethal Concentration Values are measured in milligrams per liter

Chronic Toxicity No standard measure

Label Info Mixing information Follow the directions! Name and address of manufacturer

Label Info Trade name, may not be the same as the chemical name Active ingredients

Label Info Type of pesticide – insecticide, fungicide Form – dust, wettable powder, emulsion

Label Info EPA registration number Storage and disposal precautions Hazard statement

Label Info Directions for use Net concentrate

Signal Words Alert the user to the toxicity of the pesticide There are four categories

Highly Toxic Danger Skull and crossbones required on label

Moderately Toxic Warning

Slightly Toxic Caution

Relatively Non-Toxic Caution or no signal word required on label

Safety Precautions Read label carefully Check recommended use, be certain that you are using the chemical for the correct use

Safety Precautions Have clean water and detergents available to wash spills

Safety Precautions Wear protective clothing Rubber gloves, a respirator, and any other protective gear called for on the label

Safety precautions Some chemicals require complete coverage of the body by waterproof material

Safety Precautions Use extra caution with concentrated chemicals Considered concentrated before mixing or diluting with water or dust

Safety Precautions Apply the chemical with care Always mix just enough for the job at hand

Safety Precautions Guard against inhalation or swallowing Never eat or smoke while handling a pesticide

Weather Do not apply in wind or rain Do not spray where chemical could drift into lakes or streams or apiaries (bee hives)

Weather Some pesticides are temperature specific Check the label

Storage and Disposal Store and dispose of empty containers properly

Storage and Disposal In original container Locked up Away from children and animals

Storage and Disposal Check local regulations before disposing of chemicals or containers

Pesticide Poisoning Dilution of the poison is the most important first aid practice

Pesticide Poisoning If spilled, remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash thoroughly

First Aid Telephone Dr or medical facility For pesticides spilled on skin, wash with plenty of soap and water to dilute chemical

First Aid Remove contaminated clothing Shower, dry and wrap or dress victim in warm blankets or clothing

First Aid Cover any chemical burns with loose, soft, clean cloth

First Aid For eye poisoning, hold the eye open and flush with clean water for at least five minutes

First Aid For inhaled poisons, carry victim to fresh air, do not allow victim to walk Losen clothing, apply artificial respiration if breathing has stopped

First Aid Keep patient quiet Do not give alcohol Label may include additional information

First Aid Follow the directions of the medical professional that you contacted

What is an insect Small animal with three clearly defined body regions and three pairs of legs

Body regions Head Throat Abdomen

Insects Proper identification of insects in an important first step in insect control

Chemical free control Many insects are controlled by natural enemies such as diseases or other insects

Integrated Pest Management Uses more than one control practice Plant rotation Natural enemies Chemicals – not used until pest damage builds up to economic loss levels.

How insecticides kill Stomach poisons – as the insect eats the plant it is poisoned through the stomach

Contact Poisons Kill the insect when they are hit with or come into contact with the poison

Systemic Poisons Enter the plant sap and move through the entire plant When insects eat or suck juices from the plant they are killed

Fumigants Contact poisons applied in a gaseous form Fumes kill the insect after entering its system through breathing pores

Repellants Generally do not kill but drive insects away before they attack the plant

Repellents Aluminum foil Marigolds Garlic

Attractants Lure insects to their death

Chemical make up Inorganic compounds Of mineral origin A mineral is used as the basis for the poison Usually stomach poisons

Organic Compounds Those derived from plants Usually stomach or contact poisons

Application Dusts Applied with a duster Tend to blow or drift

Wettable powders Resemble dusts Are concentrated and must be diluted with water before application

Wettable powders Tend to settle Must be mixed frequently during application

Emulsifiable concentrates Liquids mixed with water Shelf life is longer than dusts or wettable powders

Granules In the form of pellets Spread on the soil surface and penetrate soil after the application of water

Granules Systemic or fumigants

Baits Poisons that attract insects Pest eats the bait and dies

Aerosols In pressurized cans Ready to use Do not need dilution

Plants as repellants Some plants can help to prevent the attack of insects on other plants

Plants as repellants Marigolds Garlic Sage Horseradish Mint

Fungicides Used to control plant diseases which are caused by fungi

Fungi Tiny non green plants rusts, molds, mildews and smut Lack chlorophyll and live as parasites on green plants

Toxicity Generally not as toxic to humans as insecticides

Rodenticides Chemicals used to control rats, mice and other rodents and bats

Rodenticides Most are stomach poisons Applied as bait Common poison is Warfarin – and anticoagulant Keeps the blood from clotting

Warfarin Animals bleed to death internally or from small scrapes

Molluscicides Used to control snails and slugs Applied as a bait or contact poisons

Nematocides Control nematodes Small hairlike worms that feed on plant roots

Nematocides Fumigants Must contact nematode as a gas or liquid passing through the soil

Herbicide Chemical that kills unwanted plants or weeds

Weed Plant that is growing where it is not wanted

Types Nonselective – kill all plants to which they are applied.

Selective Kill some plants but not all Largest group of weed killers

Effects of Herbicides Upset the metabolism or life functions of the plant Either starves to death or wears itself out due to increased rate of activity within the system

Application Sprayed on or applies already mixed in fertilizers or in granules Using a nozzle that sprays large droplets can reduce drift to non target plants

Time of application Preplanting Pre-emergence Post-emergence

Calibration Sprayer must be properly calibrated or adjusted before use to insure that the proper amount of chemical is applied

Breakdown of herbicide Most are broken down in soil by microorganisms Half life for various chemicals varies from a few weeks to years. Check the label!