Pesticide Application Safety Tips
Safety and effectiveness go hand in hand when using these products. Common sense plus reading and complying with labels will protect the applicator and environment from product misuse. These precautions are as much part of the directions as are the application rates and techniques. FOLLOW THEM CAREFULLY!!
Handling
- Avoid contact with skin eyes and clothing.
- Wear protective eyewear and clothing as specified.
- Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors.
- Do not take internally.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling.
- Promptly wash off spills on clothing, skin or equipment.
Storage
- Store in a locked, well ventilated, cool, dry area away from food, feed, seed and medicines.
- Do not subject to temperature extremes.
- Store in original containers. Do not store or use unlabeled products.
Application
- Avoid drift—keep applications within the intended treatment area.
- Treat from the shoreline outward to avoid trapping organisms in shallow water.
- Heavily infested, small bodies of water, treat only 1/3 to 1/2 of the area at a time— allowing 1 to 2 weeks between successive treatments.
- Keep application equipment functioning properly. If there is a mechanical problem, stop immediately and repair or replace the unit.
- Do not treat during adverse or changing weather conditions.
- If required post signs or notify residents if water use is restricted for any reason. Some states require preposting of public areas
Clean Up
- Clean and check application equipment
- Flush out spray tanks, mixing barrels, etc. TRIPLE RINSE!!
- Wash up and change clothes.
- Wash clothing and protective equipment separately from other laundry.
Disposal
- Do not reuse empty containers.
- Empty containers should be triple-rinsed and disposed of in accordance with label instructions.
- Do not indiscriminately dump unused material— dispose of in a safe place.
- RECYCLE if it is offered in your area. Check out the Cygnet Pesticide Container Recycling Program
Always Read the Label Carefully!!
If in doubt about using a product, consult your department of agriculture, fish and game, county agricultural extension agent, manufacturer or local distributor.