Environmental Protection
Agency

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  Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, disinfectants,
  rodenticides, animal repellants—chances are that you
  have one,-some, or all of these around your home.

  They are pesticides—products you use to help plants
grow, to disinfect and sanitize your house, or to eliminate
unwanted insect and animal pests. They are effective and
useful products that  make our lives better and help to keep
us healthier. But they should be used carefully,  according
to directions, especially around your home and  your
family.

This booklet has been developed to help you to be more
aware of the benefits and the hazards of pesticides and
how to use them in a safe manner.

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For Your Protection

The hazards and risks of using pesticides have increased
in recent years with the sharp rise in their consumption.
Congress acted on this problem in October 1972 by
amending the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), substantially strengthening the
Federal Government's ability to protect you, as a
consumer, from hazards caused by the misuse of
pesticides.

The law extends Federal control to actual application of
pesticides by the user and regulates both intrastate and
interstate marketing of products. Thus, all pesticides
legally sold in the United States will be registered by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These products
must carry  an EPA registration number on the label which
indicates that the product is safe and effective when used
according to label directions.

Danger: Poison

Although under the amended FIFRA penalties may be
levied against consumers who misuse pesticides,
common sense demands that you regard all pesticides as
poisons. Pesticides vary in their toxicity and in unwanted
side effects but the misuse of any pesticide almost
certainly endangers some part of  our natural
environment—people, pets, wildlife, plants, or streams.
Take the extra time and make the extra effort required to
follow the proper safety measures when  buying, storing or
applying pesticides and disposing of leftover chemicals or
empty containers.

An Ounce of Prevention

The first step in any home pest control program is
prevention. Insects and rodents come onto your property
or into your home in search of food or shelter. By taking
sensible precautionary measures you can make your
living spaces less attractive to unwanted visitors.

Particular attention should be paid to food storage.
Crumbs and other food scraps should be completely
cleaned up. Air out woolens, clothing drawers, and closets
where moths lay eggs. Air out places such  as bath and
laundry rooms which tend to collect moisture. This will
discourage the growth of mildew and other fungi.

Keep your  property free of litter that could provide a
breeding ground for flies or rats. Be especially careful to
keep wood away from buildings because it can lead
termites right to your home. Eliminate breeding grounds for
mosquitos  by getting rid of places where water can collect
and stagnate.

Remember that birds, given food and shelter, tend to stay
around the home and garden and can be a considerable

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asset in insect control. The ladybug and the praying
mantis are insect predators that destroy aphids and other
harmful pests. Bees are needed for pollination of fruits and
flowers. Misused, pesticides can destroy these helpful
allies. Therefore, the guiding rule of any pest control
project should be: Do no harm.

Before you resort to pesticides, be certain that chemical
control is the best solution. If you have any doubts about
the nature of your pest problem or how to cure it, check
with your County Extension Agent. Use natural controls
first, but if chemical control is necessary:

  get the proper pesticide for the specific problem;
  read the  label;
  store it securely;
  apply it properly;
  clean up thoroughly; and
  dispose of containers safely.

Following these few basic rules will help insure your safety
and that of your family.
Buy with Care

Before you buy—study the label. Is the product registered
for use in or around the home or garden? Does it list the
pest you want to eliminate? What are the safety
precautions?

Pesticides are available in many forms. They come as
powders or liquids that require mixing with water. Pre-
mixed sprays are available in pressurized cans or
containers with pumps. Dusts, pellets, paint-on
compounds, and many other formulations are also
available. Get the one that best suits your purpose.

If a pesticide spray is for use against household pests, see
whether  it is a space spray or a  surface spray. Surface
sprays have coarser particles which leave a coating that
kills crawling insects; space sprays are generally fine
mists directed against flying insects. The two types are not
interchangeabte.

Whenever possible, choose the  pesticide that is effective
against only a few other pests in addition to the one you
want to get rid of. This allows you to solve your problem
without harming the beneficial life forms such as
honeybees or parasites and predators that help control
pests.

When planning to treat plants be sure you don't kill the
plant along with the pest.  Some compounds will kill or
injure certain plants and manufacturers have formulated
different  compounds for the same pest in order to avoid
this hazard. Don't endanger your prized plants; read the
precautionary statements on the label.

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Safe Storage

Children and pets are curious; put pesticides safely away
as soon as you bring them home and immediately after
each use. In the past several years, approximately 70
percent of the  pesticide case reports received by poison
control centers across the country involved children under
five years of age. Usually these accidental poisonings
were the result of adult carelessness.

A locked cabinet in a well-ventilated utility area is the best
place to store  pesticides and the only reasonably safe
place. Never put these  compounds in cabinets with or
near food, medical supplies, or cleaning materials. Always
store pesticides in  their original containers, complete with
labels that list  ingredients, directions for use, and antidotes
in case of accidental poisoning. NEVER transfer pesticides
to soft drink bottles or other containers that children
associate with something to eat or drink.

Safe Application

Wear clothing  that covers your arms and legs when
working with pesticides. When you are ready to use a
pesticide, always reread the label or leaflet. Never trust
your memory.

If the material  you  chose must be mixed or diluted, do this
outdoors or in  a well-ventilated area. Mix only the amount
you need and  use  recommended portions. Don't think that
twice the recommended portion will do a better job.
Actually, a higher concentration, like over-application, will
only increase  the risk of harm to plants or animals.

Keep children and pets away from areas where you mix or
apply pesticides, and promptly clean up any spills.

Before applying pesticides, remove toys from the area  to
be treated. Remove food, dishes, pots, and pans before
treating kitchen cabinets and don't let  pesticides get on
these utensils, Wait until shelves are dry before refilling
them.

Most surface  sprays should be applied only to limited
areas. Don't treat entire floors, walls, or ceilings.

 NEVER place  rodent or insect baits where small children
 or pets can get to  them.

 Before spraying remove birds and pets and cover
 aquariums and fish bowls.

 When spraying outdoors, cover fish ponds and avoid
 applying pesticides near dug wells. Always avoid over-
 application when treating the lawn, shrubs or garden. Run-
 off or seepage from excess pesticides may contaminate
 water supplies. In  addition over-application may cause
 potentially harmful pesticide residues  on vegetables and

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fruit grown in your garden.

When applying a herbicide, keep it from coming into
contact with flowers and shrubs.

Never spray or dust outdoors on a windy day when the
pesticide may drift back on you or kill or injure your own or
neighbors' desirable plants.

Bypass birds' or squirrels' nests when treating trees. Avoid
applying any pesticides to blooming plants, especially if
you see honeybees and other pollinating insects around
them.

Never smoke while applying pesticides: They  can be
carried from hand to mouth by cigarettes. In addition
some are flammable.

If you spill a-pesticide on your skin, wash it off with soap
and water right away. If you spill it on your clothing, remove
the clothing, and wash the skin. Then launder the clothes
before wearing them again.
Finishing the Job

When you have finished applying pesticides, clean any
equipment that you used and safely dispose of any
containers. Empty pesticide containers can be as
hazardous as full ones because of residues left in them.

Wrap single, empty pesticide containers in several layers
of newspaper and tie securely. Then, put them in a
covered trash can if you have  regular collection service.
(If you do  not, empty pesticide  containers should be
crushed and then buried at least 18 inches deep in a place
on your land where there is no danger of contaminating
water. DO NOT, HOWEVER, PUNCTURE PRESSURIZED
CONTAINERS!)

Normally,  you should not burn  pesticide boxes or sacks
either outdoors or in apartment incinerators. Many

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compounds do not decompose under these conditions,
and the updraft from the fire will carry the chemicals long
distances.

Exceptions may be made for small quantities of certain
empty pesticide containers. Those formerly containing
organic or metallo-organic pesticides other than organic
mercury,  lead, cadmium, or arsenic compounds may be
burned. However,  incineration should never take place in
densely populated areas. It is best to dispose of these
containers in a covered trash can, too.

Never pour leftover pesticides down the sink or into toilet
bowls. (Only solutions labeled for use in cleaning pipes
and toilet bowls should be used in this manner.) Chemicals
can interfere with the operation of septic tanks. In addition,
waterways may be polluted because many municipal
waste disposal systems do not remove all pesticide
residues from the effluent water. Avoid this problem by
planning ahead  when you begin the job and mixing only
the amount of pesticide that you will use.

After spraying and cleaning all equipment, wash your
hands and face with soap and water as a matter of routine,
regardless of whether you spilled any pesticide on
yourself.

When Emergency Strikes

If you get a pesticide in your eyes, flush them with water for
15 minutes and call a doctor.

If someone accidentally swallows a pesticide, quickly
check the container. It may recommend an antidote or
other first aid. Call a doctor in any case. Read him the
label, including the active ingredient of the pesticide. Take
the labeled container along if you go to the doctor or a
hospital.

Poison Control Centers are available to all doctors. They
can call these Centers for additional advice and
information on antidotes for specific pesticides.

For More Information

EPA as a regulatory agency cannot recommend specific
chemicals or brands. However, additional information on
pesticide use and safety is available from the EPA or its
regional offices, Cooperative Extension Service in States
and counties, other agricultural authorities, and county
health  departments. Names and numbers are listed in your
local telephone directory.

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Potential Hazards

Improper or careless pesticide use may result
in harmful side-effects.
For example:

Persistence—some materials may remain in
the environment for long periods of time and
pollute the air, water, and soil. This is
especially true if a pesticide is applied in
excessive amounts or at higher
concentrations than recommended, or if
improperly disposed of.

Broad-spectrum effects—some pesticides
affect many different life forms, destroying
beneficial as well as harmful insects.

Harm to plants or animals—improperly
used, some pesticides can harm plants, birds,
fish, squirrels, or other wildlife.

Harm to humans—certain pesticides can
injure the applicator if consumed, absorbed
through the skin, or inhaled. Children or pets
may also be affected unless pesticides are
used and stored properly.

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Benefits

Used properly, pesticides are invaluable in the
protection of human and animal health and in
the production of food and fiber.

For example:

Homeowners have at their disposal easy-to-
use pesticides that eliminate pests in and
around the house, protect clothing against
moths, and disinfect living quarters.

Home gardeners can protect their
ornamentals or vegetables with pesticides,
including compounds that break down within
a relatively short time. This reduces residue
problems.

Farmers use pesticides to produce the crops
that provide Americans with abundant,
wholesome food supplies and make this
country a major source of food and fiber for
the world.

Human lives by the tens of thousands have •
been saved from malaria, typhus, and other
deadly diseases through the planned  use of
pesticides.

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