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Safety with Pesticides
Pesticides can be a great way of protecting your lawn from harmful bugs; but, if used or stored improperly, they can harm you, your children or even your pets. Below are a few helpful tips for keeping you and your family safe when using and storing pesticides.
- READ THE LABEL FIRST! Read the label before you buy the pesticide to be sure you are buying the right one for your lawn care needs and to determine if you can use the product exactly as directed on the label. If you cannot use it as directed, you might consider hiring a professional to treat your lawn.
- Don't stockpile pesticides. Buy only what you need for the current season and for your current problem.
- Make sure you have everything you need before you start. This includes items such as: dusters, sprayers, lawn spreaders and of course personal protective equipment. You must wear any of the protective clothing listed on the pesticide's label-it is not a suggestion!
- Always store pesticides in their original containers and out of the reach of children. Never store pesticides or other harmful chemicals in any containers that children might associate with food. Teach children that pesticides are poisons and something they should not touch.
- Remove children, toys and pets from any area before treating your lawn or your home. Keep them away from the treated area until the pesticide has dried or for the duration of the recommended time on the product label.
- Know what to do in an emergency before applying the pesticide. You should keep the number of the local Poison Control Center next to your telephone. You should also have cat litter, rubber gloves and tools, like a disposable broom, on hand for cleaning spills up immediately.
- Always use separate sprayers for herbicides and pesticides, especially if you borrow a sprayer or loan yours out. Even when thoroughly rinsed, sprayers can contain residue from herbicides, which can be harmful to sensitive plants.
- Don't rely solely on pesticides to completely rid your lawn of harmful pests. Serious, on-going pest problems may be a sign of an underlying issue. If your lawn is not getting everything it needs, pesticides will not fix your predicament, and if you expect to reduce the chance of pest reappearing, you must treat the source.
- For more information on the safe handling of pesticides visit the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov and click on the "pesticides" link. If you have questions about a pesticide call the EPA's toll-free National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378. For general pesticide safety information call the EPA at 703-305-5017;or write them at the address below:
EPA Office of Pesticide Programs
Field Operations Division
H7506C, 401M Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
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