Pesticide safety for the homeowner
with limited risks to the environment. The use of a pesticide does demand cautious handling and you must always keep in mind the importance of reading the product label and following the safety precautions. I will be sharing information from a UGA publication revised by Gwinnett County Extension Agent, Tim Daly.
The first step in pesticide safety is to determine if you even need to use a pesticide in the first place. You need to get the potential problem properly identified in the first place before a correct plan can be put in place. For example, you may think you have a lawn disease when in reality the problem may be lack of water. Another example, you may see more mice than normal around your house, but realize you are leaving dog food out at night which is providing a food source for the mice. Remove the excess food and then you may cause the mice to leave. There will though be times that a pesticide will be a viable option. When the problem is identified, you can select the right pesticide for the problem and the correct dosage and follow use directions.
If you choose to use a pesticide to handle a pest, you must always read the product label. This is not like going on a vacation and not following a road map. A product label is going to tell you all the information you need in regards to safety as well as effective and legal use of that product according to Daly. Following the labels correctly will help keep you and others safe and will also help give you the best chance to control the pest with that particular product.
When you read a product label, you need to be aware of several key components. The chemical name is important. The chemical name is the chemical ingredients of that product. The common name is a shorter name for the pesticide. The brand name is the name used to advertise that pesticide. The formulation is the form that product comes in which can be a liquid, dust or even a wettable powder. On the label you should also see a signal word which is designed to tell you how potentially hazardous the product can be to humans.
Those signal word options should be words like danger, warning and caution. Each signal word will have a different level of toxicity assigned and amount of product that could kill a person if misused. The label will also give items such as a precautionary statement and will give first aid steps too. The label will give you specific directions in how to use the product. Product labels should also give you a misuse statement on what not to do with that individual product.
Additionally, here are tips to keep in mind when handling pesticides. Again, before you buy or use a product, read the label entirely. You need to follow any statements such as “Keep out of reach of children” or “Do not use near fire, sparks or flame,” according to Daly.
Be mindful of protective clothing statements on the label. If you have to mix or dilute the product by the label, make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area. If the product is one you will spray inside a structure, make sure you have proper ventilation. On the flip side, if you are spraying outdoors, make sure windows and doors are closed to reduce spray drift inside the home.
Remember to wash your hands before eating, drinking or even smoking while handling pesticides. Another tip is to not mix or even apply pesticides near wells or open water. You also need to limit pesticide use around blooming plants to reduce risk to pollinators such as honeybees.
If spraying outdoors, remove your pets and even children toys from the area that will be sprayed. If you are using an indoor spray product and spraying around kitchen shelves, you need to remove your food items and dishes for example prior to spraying the area. You need to let the shelves dry before returning the items.
Finally, pesticides can help solve a pest issue, but you must use in a safe manner. That safety starts with identification of the problem, choosing a solution and if that solution involves a pesticide, follow the label completely. For more information, contactUGA ExtensionGordon County at 706-6298685 or email gbowman@ uga.edu.