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ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST MANAGEMENT |
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KEY CONCEPTS
II. Insect Pests of Houses, Pets and Humans
- IPM
- Control options
- Pesticide safety
IV. Submitting Insects for Identification
V. Orders of Insects and Their Feeding Parts
Return to Introduction
PESTICIDE SAFETY
When using pesticides, safety is critical. Always read and follow pesticide label directions exactly. The label is a legal document. Using pesticides in ways other than listed on the label may result in legal action.
Look specifically for the following:
- plants that may be treated;
- application rates and timing;
- application methods;
- toxicity level: warning, caution, danger;
- precautions to take when applying;
- danger to other animals or nearby vegetation;
- environmental concerns;
- timing relative to harvest;
- instructions to physicians when poisoning occurs;
- disposal and cleaning of clothing used during application;
- disposal and storage of all pesticide chemicals.
Wear protective clothing when applying pesticides. This includes long-sleeve shirt, long pants, shoes, socks, rubber or neoprene gloves, protective eye gear and a respirator or dust mask when necessary.
Clothing exposed to pesticides should be washed in detergent and hot water. Wash protective clothing separately from other laundry. After doing a load of protective clothing, run the machine through a complete cycle with soap to rinse out the machine.
Spilled pesticides can be absorbed with kitty litter. If you are exposed to pesticides during mixing or application, wash immediately and follow label instructions. Pesticides contacting the eyes, nose or ears should be rinsed with water. To avoid exposure to pesticides, apply when there is no wind that will cause pesticide DRIFT.
Use the correct applicator. The label will provide specific instructions. These applicators include compressed-air sprayers, trombone sprayers, hose-end sprayers and hand dusters. You must have separate sprayer equipment for herbicides and insecticides. Herbicide residues in a sprayer used to apply insecticides or fungicides may damage plants.
Mix only enough of a pesticide to complete the job. Mixing exposes the applicator to the most concentrated form of the pesticide. Special care is required. Carefully measure concentrates with measuring spoons or cups reserved and labeled for that use only. No chemicals should be mixed together unless the label says they are specifically compatible.
If more pesticide is mixed than is needed, it should be applied to plants that are on the label. Never pour a pesticide down the drain or storm sewer. Rinse the sprayer with fresh water, applying the rinse water to plants that are listed on the label. A second and third rinse are recommended.
Keep records of pesticide applications for reference should problems arise. This also helps you remember the date of application for the days before harvest in edible crops.
Pesticides should be stored in their original containers in a locked cabinet. The storage location should not be exposed to heat or cold. Liquid pesticides should never freeze.
At this time there is no appropriate method for disposing unused pesticides. Therefore, purchase only the amount you will use in one growing season. Your community may have a collection amnesty day. Keep pesticides in locked storage until a legal collection is available. Empty containers should be wrapped in several layers of newspaper and put in the trash.
Information on specific pesticides is also available in EXONET, FARM CHEMICALS HANDBOOK and Extension bulletins. Complete pesticide labels are too long to be included on the bottle label. Request the complete label from your garden center manager.
Pesticide toxicity is measured most often by LD50. This is the dose of a toxic substance required to kill 50% of a test population of animals. It is an estimate of toxicity. LD50 is the abbreviation for "median lethal dose."
The lower the LD50, the more toxic the substance. A high LD50 means that more of a substance is required to make a toxic dose. Rotenone has an LD50 of 132. Malathion's LD50 is 1,375, while table salt has an LD50 of 3,750. From this you can see that rotenone, an "organic" pesticide, is much more toxic than malathion or salt.
LD50 only indicates the acute toxicity or immediate effect of a substance. Also of concern are the long-term effects, called chronic toxicity. This is of much greater concern to applicators handling chemicals on a daily basis.
Pesticide poisoning occurs from direct contact with the pesticide. This includes absorption through the skin, mouth, nose and eyes. Pesticides will soak into clothing and cause prolonged skin contact if the clothing, including leather or canvas shoes and gloves, are not removed immediately.
Symptoms of pesticide poisoning include headache, dizziness, dilated eyes, sweating, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, fatigue and weakness. If any of these symptoms appear, immediately call 911 or the poison control center.
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