Pesticide Safety

Pesticide Safety Wayne Buhler, PhDPesticide Safety Extension SpecialistHorticultural Science

A Pesticide is any substance that is used to kill a pest or prevent or reduce the damage it may cause. (-icide) = to kill

Common types of pesticides… • Herbicides, Fungicides, Rodenticides, Insecticides;

Common types of pesticides… • Molluscicides, Nematicides, Algicides;

Common types of pesticides… • Biocides, Disinfectants, and Sanitizers; Vikingpool.net

Common types of pesticides… • Attractants, Pheromones, Repellents;

Common types of pesticides… • Defoliants, Dessicants;

Common types of pesticides… • Insect and Plant Growth Regulators;

Common types of pesticides… • Plant-Incorporated Protectants; and,

Two Classes of Pesticides • Restricted-use: Pesticide that could harm humans and/or environment, requiring use by certified applicator • Unclassified or General-use: Pesticide that does not have the characteristics of a restricted-use pesticide

Pesticide Safety Pick the right product for the job

Pesticide Safety • Read the label • Brand Name. • EPA Registration Number • Active Ingredients • Signal Words • CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER • Precautionary Statements. • Environmental Hazards • First Aid Instructions • Storage and Disposal

Apply Pesticides Safely • Protective Equipment • Never Smoke or Eat • Follow Directions • Original Container

Pesticide Safety • Avoid Windy Days • Avoid Hot Days • Spray close to target

Transporting Pesticide Safely • Avoid passenger area • Open windows • Bag separately

Store Pesticides Safely • Follow label • Out of reach • Original container • Away from food • Never in equipment

Pesticide Disposal • Use up • Hazardous waste collection program • NOT down sink • Never reuse container

Protect Children & Pets • Locked storage • Remove children, pets and their toys • If interrupted – store safely • Teach “pesticides are poison”

First Aid • ID pesticide & location of injury • Unconscious, labored breathing, or convulsions – 911 + First Aid • Awake, breathing, no convulsions - follow directions on label

Poison Center1-800-222-1222 • Swallowed • Drink small amount of water – do not induce vomiting unless instructed by doctor • Skin • Rinse for 15 minutes, wash soap and water. Cover loosely with clean soft cloth – NO ointment, discard clothes, • Eye • Rinse eye with water for 15 minutes – No drops • Inhaled • Move to fresh air

Handling a Spill • Control • Stop the leak, prevent access • Contain • Prevent the spread, absorb with cloth, paper towels, kitty litter • Cleanup • Never wash pesticide away with a hose, protect water ways. Dispose of according to directions on label.

Choosing a Pest Control Company • Licensed • Willing to discuss • References • Insurance • Guarantee • Affiliations

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Web Site http://pesticidestewardship.org • Summarize principles of 12 pesticide stewardship topics; • Provide educational modules to County Extension Agents for use in training their clientele; and • Prepare users for state certification exams. • Homeowner guidelines for safe use of pesticides

Pages for Homeowner PES Module • Personal protection • What equipment to use • How to apply the correct amount • Storing chemicals • Disposing of excess/unwanted chemicals • First aid • What is IPM? • To get more information • What is a pest? • Insect/Mite ID • Animal ID • Weed ID • Plant disease ID • Do I need to spray? • Potential harm to children, pets, and environment • When should I spray? • Types of chemicals • How do I select the right product?

http://ipm.ncsu.edu/pesticidesafety

Pesticide Safety