1. Check Before You Choose a Pesticide! Making safe decisions for controlling pests

2. Problems Improperly applied pesticides can: –Harm plants –Harm people or animals –Waste money & time –Pollute water S

3. Check the following before applying a pesticide What pest do you have? Where are they coming from? What are they eating or where do you find the disease? What are the control choices? Which control method will be the most effective while posing the lowest risks? Read the Label!

4. What pest do you have? MSUE diagnostic services What is the pest? Is it a problem? Develop control program particular to pest

5. Where is the pest or disease coming from? Pests & diseases have different life cycles. Control might begin in a different location from where the pest is found.

6. What are the pests eating or where do you find the disease? What plants and what parts of the plants are affected? Many pest problems are related to improper environmental conditions.

7. Control options Plant health Environmental modification Sanitation Barrier Natural Chemicals Traps Crop rotation Chemical control

8. Minimum risk control More specific controls are generally less toxic to people.

9. Read the Label! The Label is the Law Label should be read at: –Purchase –Storage –Before Use –Spill or accidental exposure –Disposal of container

10. For more information