Applying Pesticides

Pesticide Management

Identifying Common Pests

• Sites = infested areas

• Target = pest that pesticide is intended for

• Host = animal or plant that is to be protected

Classifications of Pesticides• Insects

Insecticide• Mites

Miticide• Mites, ticks and

spiders

Acaricide

• Snails & Slugs

Molluscicide• Fungi

Fungicide• Nematodes

Nematicide• Bacteria

Bactericide

Classifications of Pesticides• Weeds

Herbicide• Predatory Animal

Predacide• Rodents

Rodenticide• Birds

Avicide

• Fish

Piscicide• Plant Growth

Plant Growth Regulators

• Leaves on Plants

Defoliant, Dessicant

Pesticide Characteristics

• “Pesticide” = substance intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any pest– also; plant regulator, defoliant, or dessicant

Pesticide Characteristics• Chemical Basis of Pesticides

• Synthetic Organic Pesticides are man made– Malathion, 2,4-D

• Plant Derived Organic Pesticides are made from parts of plants

• Inorganic Pesticides are made from minerals– Lead Arsenate

Pesticide Characteristics

• Toxicity of Pesticides

• Refers to how poisonous a pesticide is to warm blooded animals

• Danger = Highly Toxic– Skull & Crossbones and “Poison”

• Warning = Moderately Toxic

• Caution = Slightly Toxic

Pesticide Characteristics

• Use of Pesticide

• Specific uses

Effect of Pesticides on Pests

• Stomach Poison = kills when swallowed

• Contact Poison = sprayed directly on pest

• Fumigants = gas inhaled or absorbed

• Translocated Herbicides = kills plants by being absorbed by roots

• Systemics = will kill pest when it eats the host, but doesn’t harm host

Effect of Pesticides on Pests

• Sterilants = pests are unable to reproduce

• Anticoagulants = prevents normal blood clotting

• Pheromones = change the normal behavior of pests

• Protectants = prevent pest entry

Effect of Pesticides on Pests

• Plant Growth Regulators = control the rate of growth of plants

• Defoliants and Dessicants = cause plants to shed their leaves

Pesticide Characteristics

• Persistence of Pesticides refers to how long the Pesticide remains in the environment

• Pesticide must break down to a harmless residue before harvest

• May be a time delay for safe consumption

Formulation of Pesticides

• Form in which chemical is available

• Liquid Formulations:

Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC or E) mix with water

Solution (S) is ready to use

Flowable (F) Thick liquid, mix with water to form a suspension

Formulation of Pesticides: Liquid

• Fumigant, pressurized container turns to gas

• Aerosol (A) applied from a pressurized can or special sprayer

Formulation of Pesticides: Dry

• Dusts (D) must be used dry

• Granules (G) larger than dust, must be used dry

• Wettable Powder (WP or W) looks like dust, must be mixed with water, aggitate

• Soluble Powder (SP) dissolves in water

• Baits: pesticide mixed with attractant

Selectivity of Pesticides

• A selective pesticide kills some pests and not others

• Ex: kills only broadleaf plants or only grasses

• Non-selectives kill many pests

• Ex: Roundup kills all plants

Reading the Label

• The label is a “Legal Document”

• Read and follow directions on the label

• What you will find on the label:

• Use Classification: – “General Use” can be applied by anyone– “Restricted Use” certified applicators or

under their direct supervision

Reading the Label• Brand Name: Roundup

• Common Name: made up name for the active ingredient (not all have one)

• Chemical Name: words that you can’t pronounce to identify chemicals in product

• Formulation: Dry, Soluble, WP

• Ingredients: must be identified by chemical and common name except inert ingredients

Reading the Label

• Signal Words: “Danger” “Warning” “Caution”

• Child Hazard Statement: “Keep out of reach of children”

• Statement of Practical Treatment: first aid

• Reentry Statement: if applicable, time to wait before reentering field treated

Reading the Label

• Precautionary Statements: possible hazards to humans, environment etc

• Name & Address of manufacturer

• EPA registration number

• EPA establishment number

• Net Contents

Reading the Label• Directions for Use:

– Misuse statement– pests it will control (target)– where it may be applied (sites)– types of equipment to use– restrictions for protection of environment– frequency and timing of application– storage and disposal of pesticide and container

Who can use pesticides?

• Anyone can buy & use pesticides classified for General Use

• Restricted Use pesticides can only be used by Certified Applicators and employees

• Private Applicators: use on your own crops

• Commercial Applicators: for hire

Liabilities Involved• Follow all directions for use on the label

• Never leave pesticides where children or animals me be exposed

• Never apply where rain or irrigation runoff may cause pollution

• Minimize probability of drift– low wind– coolest part of day– largest practical nozzle size

Pesticides enter the body via:

• Dermal: through the skin

• Ingestion: swallowing

• Inhalation: breathing

Liabilities Involved

• Check label for re-entry period

• Keep records of all injuries– medical treatment– loss of consciousness– loss of work– transfer to another job– death

Pesticide Records• What pesticide purchased

• application dates

• name of applicator

• target (pest), site (crop)

• severity of infestation

• equipment used

• amounts of pesticide used

Transporting Pesticides

• Pesticides must be in original packages

• Vehicle must have correct warning sign

• Must not be hauled in same vehicle as food

• Notify DOT if someone is killed, seriously injured, or serious damage

• Report spillage on a public road

What Pesticide to Use• Identify Pest

• Become familiar with many methods of control

• Estimate level of infestation

• Compare methods of application

• Remember all hazards

• Select pesticide for best control & least hazard

Methods of Application

• Spraying: most popular method

• Granular Application: on plowed soil, grass

• Dusting: for dusts

• Fogging: insect control

• Dipping: livestock, lumber

Protective Clothing• Coveralls or long sleeved shirt and long

pants

• Raincoat or liquid proof apron

• Hard hat or other water proof hat

• Unlined neoprene boots

• Unlined neoprene gloves (above wrists)

• Goggles or face shield

• Respirator

Types of Respirators

• Cartridge: chemical filter for low level pesticide concentrations

• Chemical Canister: higher levels

• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: compressed air bottle

First Aid• Immediately, notify a doctor

• Remove contaminated clothes

• Wash skin with water and detergent

• Flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes (low pressure)

• If swallowed, check label for treatment (only induce vomiting if recommended)

• Inhaled, get fresh air, lie down

Signs and Symptoms Mild Poisoning:

• Irritation of: skin, eyes, nose & throat

• Headache

• Weakness

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Dizziness

Signs and Symptoms: Moderate Poisoning

• Blurred vision, difficult breathing

• Poor muscle coordination, rapid pulse

• Flushed skin, constriction of pupils

• Stomach cramps, vomiting

• Muscle twitches

Signs and Symptoms: Severe Poisoning

• Convulsions, inability to breath

• Loss of consciousness

• Secretions from the mouth and nose

• Possible fever

• May be fatal

Storing Pesticides

• Store in original containers is a safe, dry, locked and well ventilated place

Disposing of Empty Containers

• After emptying containers, rinse 3 times and pour rinse water in sprayer

• Dispose of container as directed

Group I Containers

• Burn in special incinerators

• Burn in small numbers in the open

• Bury in special landfill or singly at least 18 inches deep in open field

• Exception: containers which held lead, mercury, cadmium or arsenic

Group II Containers

• Containers won’t burn

• Crush and bury as in Group I

• Deliver to scrap metal dealer

• If reusable, rinse and return to supplier

Group III Containers

• Held mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic or inorganic pesticides

• Rinse tree times

• Bury in sanitary landfill