Safe Use of Pesticides
The word pesticide has a very broad definition. It defines anything that is mixed and then used for destroying, preventing or repelling any kind of pest whether it’s bugs, weeds, mammals or even fish. Basically, anything used to repel or get rid of pests is considered a pesticide. Most people are familiar with the types of pesticides used to get rid of bugs.
- Pesticides: Discusses pesticides and what they are used for.
- National Pesticide Information Center: Large site with detailed information about pesticides and their uses and dangers.
- Pesticides and Health: Discusses how pesticides can affect a person’s health.
Most people assume that pesticides are only used around gardens or crops to keep out bugs, and that’s definitely true. They are used to keep bugs off of vegetables or other growing foods so that they can’t contaminate those foods. However, they are also used to kill bugs. This means that they are used to kill things like mosquitoes that carry diseases like malaria or west Nile virus or even bees and ants that can cause allergic reactions in humans. If you have any of these ailments, you may decide to use pesticides.
- Pesticide Safety: A Guide for Gardeners and Homeowners: Discusses how to safely use pesticides.
- Pesticide Safety Information: Provides information about how to safely use pesticides in different situations.
- Safety Guides: A list of safety guides about pesticides that was compiled and linked.
- PES Log: Some illustrations to discuss safety and pesticide usage.
- Pesticide Resources: Provides links to multiple good sites with information about pesticides.
There are also some alternatives. Barriers and traps can be installed to prevent larger mammals from getting into an area. Bugs and weeds can be hand-picked. Trap plants – plants that draw bugs away from an area – can be planted. There are even low toxicity pesticides available. They don’t affect animals, but they don’t last as long, either. When picking a pesticide, choose the least-toxic that you can find and make sure you’re buying the proper kind. You want one that really will kill all the bugs so you don’t have to spray again and again. There are different pesticide application equipment products available. The most common is a hands-on sprayer. Make sure you read the entire manual and wear a mask when applying pesticides with this.
- Pesticide Database: A searchable database of pesticides with good information.
- Beyond Pesticides: Discusses pesticides and pesticide alternatives.
After spraying pesticides, it’s extremely important that contamination is minimized. Don’t store pesticides anywhere near water and make sure that the container does not leak. Be conservative when spraying as well. You can also minimize contamination by properly disposing of these pesticides. If you don’t use all of yours, don’t pour it down the drain. You must contact your local waste management authority to locate a hazardous waste disposal area.
- Guide for Pesticide Users: Discusses using pesticides in different areas.
- Workplace and Farm Safety: Outlines how to safely use pesticides around farms and workplaces.
- Pesticide Education: Discusses various aspects of pesticides.
- Home Use: Shows how to properly use pesticides at home.
- Pesticide Data: Provides data on pesticide safety.
