CONTROLLING THOSE CRITTERS
“It is important
to remember that
the reason you are
applying pesticides
is to kill another
organism and this is
inherently hazardous.”
EPA has approved the product for sale,
and another important thing to look for
is the signal word. This is a single word
you can pick out that is prominently
displayed, allowing you to determine
how hazardous the product is. The
signal words are Caution, Warning and
Danger/Poison, in order of increasing
hazard, so you know instantly if you are
dealing with a product that could be
hazardous to your health.
Safety Considerations
label also has important information
that goes beyond this, such as what
to do if you spill some on your skin,
what safety gear you need to wear
when you are spraying it, and what
pests it kills. It cannot be emphasized
enough how important following the
label is when applying pesticides, not
only for your safety, but also for the
efficacy of the product.
More is not always better. Application
rates are written based on tests the
manufacturer performs to
maximize efficacy. Some
insecticide and fungicide
products may harm the
plant if concentrations
are too high. For example,
horticultural oil is a common
product for controlling insects and
plant pathogens, but if you spray too
much, you can actually suffocate the
leaves of the plant. This is a great
example because horticultural oil
is also used as a dormant spray
on fruit trees and rose plants when
When using pesticides,
always read the entire
label before opening the
container. Many people only
look for the directions on
how much to use, but the
there are no leaves. This allows it to
be used at a higher rate. If you do not
read the entire label and only pull the
dormant spray rate, you can defoliate
your plants.
Pesticides are a controversial topic
in many circles and even organically
registered products require proper
handling and application. It is
important to remember that the
reason you are applying pesticides is
to kill another organism and this is
inherently hazardous. Even products
marketed as safe, such as pepper
or garlic oil, can be eye and lung
irritants. If you are interested in
learning more, the National Pesticide
Information Center’s website,
npic.orst.edu, is a great resource.
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Maximum Yield USA | December 2015