Apply
Pesticides
Correctly
A guide
for private
applicators
                          lit at. t'
                          U.S. Department
                          of Agriculture
             U.S. Environmental
             Protection Agency
^H^^_            If         ^ ^	**dtfB

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                                     Apply
                                     Pesticides
                                     Correctly
                                    Contents
A guide                              ===========^^^====.
for private                           Preface  	   iii
applicators                          T  *.  j  ±-
 **                                  Introduction  	   iii

                                     Pests   	  l-l
                                      Insects 	  1-1
                                      Mites, Ticks, and Spiders	.	  1-1
                                      Snails and Slugs	+	  1-1
                                      Pest Animals 	  1-1
                                      Weeds  	  1-1
                                      Plant Diseases   	  1-2

                                     Pest Control  	  1-2

                                     Pesticides 	  2-1
                                      How Pesticides Work   	  2-1
                                      Using Pesticides	  2-2
                                      Types  of Formulations  	  2-2

                                     Labels and Labeling  	   3-1

                                     Using Pesticides Safely  	   4-1
                                      How Pesticides Harm Man 	   4-1
                                        Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning 	   4-1
                                        First Aid Procedures	1	   4_1
                                        Protecting Your Body  	   4_2
                                      How Pesticides Harm the Environment  	   4-3
                                      Safe Use Precautions   	_	   4_3

                                     Application Equipment  	   5-1
                                      Sprayers  	   5-1
                                      Dusters and Granular Applicators  	   5-3
                                      Calibration 	   5_3

                                     Laws and Regulations	   6-1
                                      Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,  ,	   6-1
                                        and Rodenticide Act
                                      Residues  	^	   6-1
                                     U.S. Environmental             U.S. Department
                                     Protection Agency              of Agriculture

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Preface
                                      Introduction
This guide has been developed by the
Pesticide Operations Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), and the Extension Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The contributors are from State land-
grant universities, other universities,
USDA, EPA, and the pesticide industry.
They include:

    J. Blair Bailey, University of
      California,
    Emerson Baker, Environmental
      Protection Agency,
    John Boehle, Jr., Ciba-Geigy
      Corporation,
    James J. Bonin, Consultant,
    B. Jack Butler, University of
      Illinois,
    James E. Dewey, Cornell
       University,
    Burton R. Evans, Environmental
       Protection Agency,
    William D. Fitzwater,
      Environmental Protection
       Agency,
    L. C. Gibbs, U.S. Department of
      Agriculture,
    Edward H. Glass, New York
      Agricultural Experiment Station,
    Wayland J. Hayes, Jr.,Vanderbilt
   cr>  University,
   —Fred W. Knapp, University of
  c—   Kentucky,
    John A. Lofgren, University of
  	i   Minnesota,
  =3 Otis C. Maloy, Washington State
       University,
     James F. Miller, University of
       Georgia,
    Frank Murphey, University of
      Delaware,
    Edward L. Nigh, Jr., University of
      Arizona,
    Arthur Retan, Washington State
      University,
    Harry K. Tayama, The Ohio State
      University.

Gerald T. Weekman, North Carolina
State University, joint consultant for
EPA and USDA, organized the project
and served as editor. He was assisted by
Mary Ann Wamsley, USDA.

Many other people contributed greatly
to the book by reviewing it at various
stages. They represent EPA, USDA,
State regulatory agencies, the pesticide
industry, environmental groups, and
applicator  associations.
Federal regulations set minimum
requirements that you must meet
before you can use certain pesticides.
This guide contains the practical
information you need to prepare you
to meet most of these requirements.
It does not include all the things you
need to know about the pests you
wish to control. It may not include
all the information you may be
required to know to meet your State
requirements. Your State Pesticide
Regulatory Agency and your State
Extension Service can give you this
additional information.

This book will tell you:
       some features of common
       pests, how they develop, and
       the kinds of damage they do,
       methods you can use to
       control pests,
       how pesticides work,
       how pesticide labels can help
       you,
       how to use pesticides so they
       will not harm you or the
       environment,
       how to choose, use, and care
       for some equipment, and
       the Federal laws that apply
       to your use of pesticides.
                                                       in

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Pests
Pests can be put into five main
groups:
     •  insects (plus mites, ticks, and
       spiders),
     •  snails and slugs,
     •  pest animals,
     •  weeds, and
     •  plant disease agents.
  You probably will find some pests
that you cannot identify. Never try
to control a pest until you are sure of
what it is. Ask your Cooperative
Extension agent. He will help you to
get the correct answer.
Insects

Many kinds of insects are pests.
They may:
       feed on leaves,
       tunnel or bore in stems,
       stalks, and branches,
       feed on and tunnel in roots,
       feed on and in seeds and nuts,
       suck the sap from leaves,
       stems, roots, fruits, and
       flowers,
     •  carry plant and animal
       disease agents, and
     •  feed on or in  man and other
       animals.
  All adult insects have two things
in common—they have six jointed
legs and three body regions. Almost
all insects change in shape, form,
and  size during their lives.
   You can tell one insect from
another by looking at the wings and
mouthparts. Some insects have no
wings. Others have two or four. The
wings vary in shape, size, thickness,
and structure. Insects feed in
different ways. Those with chewing
mouthparts have toothed jaws that
bite and tear the food. Insects with
piercing-sucking mouthparts have a
long beak which they force into a
plant or animal to suck out fluids or
blood.
Mites, Ticks, and Spiders

Mites, ticks, and spiders are closely
related to insects. The main
differences are that the adults have
eight jointed legs instead of six and
have two body regions. They do not
have wings.

Snails and Slugs

Snails and slugs are members of a
large group of animals called
mollusks. Snails have a hard shell;
slugs have  no shell. They feed  on
plant foliage. They are pests in
lawns, landscape plantings, and
greenhouses.

Pest Animals

Fish, snakes, turtles, alligators,
lizards, frogs, toads, salamanders,
birds, and mammals may be pests.
What may  be a pest animal in some
cases may be highly desirable in
others.
Weeds

A weed is simply "a plant out of
place." Before you can control weeds,
you need to know something about
how they grow. One important
feature is the length of their life
cycle.

Annuals
  Plants with a one-year life cycle
are annuals. They grow from seed,
mature, and produce seed for the
next generation in one year or less
and then die.
  Summer annuals are plants that
result from seeds which sprout in
the spring.
  Winter annuals are plants that
grow from seeds which sprout in the
fall.
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Biennials
  Plants with a two-year life cycle
are biennials. They grow from seed
and develop a heavy root and a
compact cluster of leaves the first
year. In the second year they
mature, produce seed, and die.

Perennials
  Plants which live more than two
years and may live indefinitely are
perennials. During the winter many
lose their foliage and the stems of
others may die back to the ground.
Some grow from seed. Others
produce tubers, bulbs, rootlike
below-ground stems or above-ground
stems that produce roots.
Diseases Caused by Non-Laving
Agents
  The causes include such things as
frost, air pollution, and drought.
These diseases cannot be passed
from one plant to another.

Diseases Caused by Living
Things
  The most common causes of these
diseases and examples of the
diseases they cause are:
    • fungi (scabs and rot),
    • bacteria (blights, wilts, and
      scabs),
    • viruses (mosaics), and
    • nematodes (root knots and
      cysts).
  Some visible ways plants respond
to disease causes are:
    • galls, swellings, and leaf
      curls,
    • stunting, lack of green color,
      and incomplete development
      of parts, and
    • blights, leaf spots,  wilting,
      and cankers.
                                                                       Pest  Control
If you have identified a pest, and you
know how it grows,  spreads, and
does its damage, you can begin to
plan how to control  it.
  Using a pesticide  is only one of
many ways to control pests. The use
of a combination of methods is basic
to all pest control. Be sure to think
about what other methods might
work before you decide to apply a
pesticide. You can minimize pest
problems by:
    •  encouraging  pests' natural
       enemies,
    •  planting crop varieties that
       resist pests,
    •  destroying crop residues,
    •  practicing good manure
       management,
    •  clean plowing and
       cultivation.
  Pest control is necessary only
when the pest is causing more
damage than is reasonable to accept.
Even though a pest  is present, it
may not do much harm. It could cost
more to control the pest  than would
have been lost because of the pest's
damage.
                i

Plant Diseases

A plant disease is any harmful
condition that makes a plant
different from a normal plant. There
are two main kinds of plant diseases.
                                                    1-2

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Pesticides
                                                                       Here are the types and uses of
                                                                       pesticides:

                                                                           Insecticide: controls insects and
                                                                           other related pests such as ticks
                                                                           and spiders.
                                                                           Miticide: controls mites.
                                                                           Acaricide: controls mites, ticks
                                                                            and spiders.
                                                                           Nematicide: controls nematodes.
                                                                           Fungicide: controls fungi.
                                                                           Bactericide: controls bacteria.
                                                                           Herbicide: controls weeds.
                                                                           Rodenticide: controls rodents.
                                                                           Avicide: controls birds.
                                                                           Piscicide: controls fish.
                                                                           Molluscicide: controls mollusks,
                                                                            such as slugs and snails.
                                                                           Predacide: controls pest
                                                                            animals.
                                                                           Repellent: keeps pests away.
                                                                           Attractant: lures pests.
                                                                           Plant Growth Regulator: stops,
                                                                            speeds up, or otherwise changes
                                                                            normal plant processes.
                                                                           Desiccants and Defoliants:
                                                                            harvest-aid chemicals used to
                                                                           remove or kill leaves and stems.
                                                                           Antitranspirant: Reduces water
                                                                           loss from plants.
                                                                       How Pesticides Work

                                                                       Pesticides can be grouped according
                                                                       to what they do. Many work in more
                                                                       than one way. Read the label to find
                                                                       out what the one you are using will
                                                                       do.
                                                                           Some of the ways pesticides
                                                                           work are:
                                                                           Contacts: kill pests simply by
                                                                           contacting them.
                                                                           Stomach poisons:  kill when
                                                                           swallowed.
                                                                           Systemics:  kill pests by being
                                                                           taken into the blood of the
                                                                           animal  or sap of the plant upon
                                                                           which the pest is feeding.
                                                                           Translocated herbicides: kill
                                                                           plants by being absorbed by
                                                                           leaves,  stems, or roots and
                                                                           moving throughout the plant.
                                                                           Fumigants: gases which kill
                                                                       2-1

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    when they are inhaled or
    otherwise absorbed by the pest.
    Selective: kills certain kinds of
    plants or animals.
    Nonselective: kills most plants
    or animals.


Using Pesticides

Many terms describe when and how
to use pesticides.

When To Use
    Preemergence: used before crops
    or weeds emerge. May also refer
    to use after crops  emerge or are
    established, but before  weeds
    emerge.
    Preplant: used before the crop is
    planted.
    Postemergence: used after  the
    crop or weeds have emerged.


How To Use
    Band: application to a strip over
    or along each crop row.
    Broadcast: uniform application
    to an entire, specific area.
    Dip: complete or partial
    immersion of a plant, animal, or
    object in a pesticide.
    Directed: aiming the pesticide at
    a portion of a plant, animal, or
    structure.
    Drench: saturating the soil with
    a pesticide; oral treatment of an
    animal with a liquid pesticide.
    Foliar: application to the leaves
    of plants.
    In-furrow: application to or in
    the furrow in which a plant is
    planted.
    Over-the-top: application over
    the top of the growing crop.
    Pour-on: pouring the pesticide
    along the midline of the back of
    livestock.
    Sidedress: application along the
    side of a crop row.
    Soil incorporation: application
    to the soil followed by use of
    tillage implements to mix the
    pesticide with the soil.
    Spot treatment: application to a
    small area.

Types of Formulations
        Active in
  (the chemicals t
                                                       edients
                                                      at do the work)
                                             Inert ingredients
                                     (make the product easier to apply)

                                            Pesticide formulation
                                    Here are the most common kinds of
                                    formulations. Labeling and
                                    Cooperative Extension Service
                                    recommendations may refer to them
                                    by these common letter
                                    abbreviations.
Liquid Formulations

Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC or
E)

   An emulsifiable concentrate can
be mixed with water to form an
emulsion in your spray tank.
Ultra Low Volume Solutions
(ULV)

  These formulations may contain
only the active' ingredient itself.
They require special application
equipment.

Solutions (S)
  These formulations are ready to
use. They are often used on livestock
and in barns.
Flowables (F or L)

  A flowable can be mixed with
water to form a suspension in your
spray tank.
                                                   2-2

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Aerosols (A)
Granules (G)
  These are low concentrate            Granular formulations are made
 solutions, usually applied as a fine    by adding the active ingredient to
 spray or mist indoors. Some are sold  coarse particles (granules) of some
 in pressurized cans.                 inert material. Granule particles are
                                   much larger than dust particles.
Liquified Gases

  These fumigant formulations turn
into a gas when they are applied.
Some of them have to be packaged in
pressure containers.
Dry Formulations

Dusts (D)

  Dust formulations are made by
adding the active ingredient to a
fine inert powder. Dusts must be
used dry.
                                   Wettable Powders (WP or W)

                                     Wettable powder formulations are
                                   made by combining the active
                                   ingredient with a fine powder and a
                                   wetting agent. They look like dusts,
                                   but they are made to mix with
                                   water. These formulations need
                                   continuous agitation to maintain a
                                   suspension.
Soluble Powders (SP)

  A soluble powder formulation is
made from an active ingredient that
dissolves in water.
                                   Baits (B)

                                     A bait formulation is made by
                                   adding the active ingredient to an
                                   edible or attractive substance.
                                                 2-3

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  PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
    HAZARDS TO HUMANS
    (& DOMESTIC ANIMALS)
       DANGER
  ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
   PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL
      HAZARDS
   DIRECTIONS FOR USE
It is a violation of Federal law to use
this product in a manner inconsistent
with its labeling.
   RE-ENTRY STATEMENT
      (If Applicable)
  CATEGORY OF APPLICATOR
   STORAGE AND
     DISPOSAL
  STORAGE •^===
  DISPOSAL :
CROP: —
        RESTRICTED USE
            PESTICIDE
      FOR RETAIL SALE TO AND, APPLICATION ONLY BY
     CERTIFIED APPLICATORS OR PERSONS UNDER THEIR
             DIRECT SUPERVISION
        PRODUCT
             NAME
    ACTIVE INGREDIENT:
    INERT INGREDIENTS:
    TOTAL:
                           100.00 %
                               THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS   LBS OF  PER GALLON
   KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
       DANGER — POISON
        STATEMENT OF PRACTICAL TREATMENT
IF SWALLOWED:
IF INHALED =
IF ON SKIN	
IF IN EYES	
                           SEE SIDE PANEL FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
                           MFG BY:
                           TOWN, STATE =
                           ESTABLISHMENT NO.:
                           EPA REGISTRATION NO.:
                                      NET CONTENTS:
                                                                        CROP:
                                                                        CROP:
                                             CROP:
                                                                        CROP: .
                                             CROP:
                                                                          WARRANTY STATEMENT

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Labels and
Labeling
All the printed information you get
about a pesticide product from the
company or its agent is called
labeling.  Labeling includes such
things as:
    • the label on the product,
    • brochures,
    • flyers, and
    • other printed information
      handed out by your dealer.
  The label is the information
printed on or attached to a container
of pesticides. The label will tell you:
    • how to use the product
      correctly, and
    • what special safety measures
      you should take.
Parts of the Label

Brand Name
  Each company uses brand names
to identify its products. The brand
name shows up plainly on the front
panel of the label.

Type of Formulation
  Different types of pesticide
formulations (such as liquids,
wettable powders, and dusts) require
different methods of handling. The
label will tell you what type of
formulation the package contains.
The same pesticide may be available
in more than one formulation.

Ingredient Statement
  Every pesticide label must list
what is in the product. It tells you
the names and amounts of the active
ingredients and the amount of inert
ingredients.

Common Name
  Many pesticides have complex
chemical names. Some have been
given another name to make them
easier to identify. These are called
common names.  A chemical made by
more than one company will be sold
under several brand names, but you
may find the same common name or
chemical name on all of them.

Net Contents
  The net contents number tells you
how much is in the container. This
can be expressed in gallons, pints,
pounds, quarts, or other units of
measure.
Name and Address of
Manufacturer
  The law requires the maker or
distributor of a product to put the
name and address of the company on
the label. This is so you will know
who made or sold the product.

Registration Number
  A registration number must be on
every pesticide label. It shows that
the product has been registered with
the Federal Government.

Establishment  Number
  The establishment number tells
what factory made the chemical.
This number does not have to be on
the label, but will be somewhere on
each container.

Precautionary  Statements

Hazards to Humans (and Domestic
Animals)
  This section will tell you the ways
in which the product may be
poisonous to man and animals. It
also will tell you of any special steps
you should take to avoid poisoning,
such as the kind of protective
equipment needed.
  If the product is highly toxic, this
section will inform physicians of the
proper treatment for poisoning.

Environmental Hazards
  The label tells you how to avoid
hurting the environment. Some
examples are:
    • "This product is highly toxic
      to bees exposed to direct
      treatment or to residues on*
      crops."
    • "Do not contaminate water
      when cleaning equipment or
      when disposing of wastes."
    • "Do not apply where runoff is
      likely to  occur."

Physical and Chemical Hazards
  This section will tell you of any
special fire, explosion, or chemical
hazards that the product may have.
                                                 3-1

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 Signal Words and Symbols

   Some pesticides may be hazardous
 to people. You can tell how toxic a
 product is by reading the signal
 word and symbol on the label.

 Signal  Words
Signal
Words
DANGER

WARNING


CAUTION






Toxicity
Highly
toxic
Moderately
toxic

Low
toxicity
or
Compara-
tively free
from
danger
Appromixate Amount
Needed To Kill the
Average Person
a taste to
a teaspoonful
a teaspoonful
to a table-
spoonful
an ounce to
more than
a pint




All products must bear the statement
"Keep out of reach of children."
 Symbol
   The skull and crossbones is used
 on all highly toxic materials along
 with the signal word DANGER and
 the word POISON.

 Statement of Practical Treatment

   If swallowing or inhaling the
 product or getting it in your eyes or
 on your skin would be harmful, the
 label will tell you emergency first
 aid measures. It also will tell you
 what types of exposure require
 medical attention.
   The pesticide label is the most
 important information you can take
 to the physician when someone has
 been poisoned.

 Statement of Use Classification
   Every pesticide label must show
 whether the contents are for general
 use or restricted use. The label will
 say:
     "General classification"
                or
     "Restricted use pesticide for
 retail sale to and application only by
 certified applicators or persons
 under their direct supervision."
      PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

        HAZARDS TO HUMANS

        (& DOMESTIC ANIMALS)

            DANGER
                                          ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
                                           PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL
                                               HAZARDS
                                           DIRECTIONS FOR USE

                                        II is a violation of Federal law to use
                                        this  product in a manner inconsistent
                                        with its labeling.
                                           RE-ENTRY STATEMENT
                                              (If Applicable)
                                          CATEGORY OF APPLICATOR
       STORAGE AND
          DISPOSAL
      STORAGE:
      DISPOSAL:
Directions for Use

The directions for use tell you:
    • the pests the product will
      control (If you cannot find a
      product that lists the pest you
      want to control, ask your
      dealer or Cooperative
      Extension agent. The label
      may use a different name for
      the pest than the one you
      use.),
    • the crop, animal, or other
      item the product can be used
      on,
    • whether the product is for
      general or restricted use,
    • how the product should be
      applied,
    • how much to use,
    • where the material should be
      applied, and
    • when it should be  applied.
         RESTRICTED USi

              PESTICIDE
       FOR RETAIL SALE TO AND| APPLICATION ONLY BY
      CERTIFIED APPLICATORS OR PERSONS UNDER THEIR
                DIRECT SUPERVISION
                                           PRODUCT
                                                 NAME
                                       ACTIVE INGREDIENT:

                                       INERT INGREDIENTS: .

                                       TOTAL:
                                                                100.00 %
                                                                           THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS   LBS OF   PER GALLON
                                      KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

                                          DANGER — POISON
          STATEMENT OF PRACTICAL TREATMENT^
 IF SWALLOWED:
 IF INHALED	
 IF ON SKIN	
Misuse Statement
  This section will remind you that
it is a violation of Federal law to use
a product in a manner inconsistent
with its labeling.

Reentry Statement
  If required for the product, this
section will tell you how much time
must pass before a pesticide-treated
area is safe for entry by a person
without protective clothing. Consult
local authorities for special rules
that may apply.

Category of Applicator
  If required for the product, this
section will limit use to certain
categories of commercial applicators.

Storage and Disposal Directions
  Every pesticide should  be stored
and disposed of correctly. This
section will tell you how to store and
dispose of the product.
  Do not use a product on a crop or
for a pest not listed on the label.
Always use it at the recommended
rate.
                                                   3-2

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Using Pesticides
Safely
 There are two good reasons for using
 pesticides safely:
     • to keep yourself and other
       people from being poisoned,
       and
     • to avoid harming the
       environment.


 How Pesticides Harm Man

 Most pesticides can cause severe
 illness, or even death, if misused.
 But every registered pesticide can be
 used safely if you use it correctly.
  Many accidental pesticide deaths
 are caused by eating or drinking the
 product. But some applicators die
 or are injured when they breathe a
 pesticide vapor or get a pesticide
 on their skin.  Repeated exposure
 to small amounts of some pesticides
 can cause sudden severe illness.
  To prevent all accidents with
 pesticides you should:
     • use and store pesticides away
       from children and other
       untrained persons,
     • keep pesticides in their
       original containers, and
     • take care to follow directions
       when  using them.
     Products for restricted use
 require special handling. The label
 is your guide.

 Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning
  You should know the kinds of
 sickness that are caused by the
 pesticides you use.
  Get medical advice quickly if
 you or any of your workers get  sick
 during or after pesticide use. If you
 think a person may be poisoned, do
 not leave him alone. Do not let
 yourself or anyone else get
 dangerously sick before calling  a
 physician or  going to a hospital.
Take the container (or the label) of
the pesticide with you. Do not carry
a pesticide container in the
passenger space of a car or truck.
  It is better to be too cautious
than too late.
Parathion and Similar Pesticides
(Organophosphates and
Carbamates)
  These pesticides injure the
nervous system. The symptoms
develop in stages. They usually
occur in this order:

Mild Poisoning
      fatigue
      headache
      dizziness
      blurred vision
      too much sweating and
      salivation
      nausea and vomiting
      stomach cramps or diarrhea
Moderate Poisoning

    •  unable to walk
    •  weakness
    •  chest discomfort
    •  muscle twitches
    •  constriction of pupil of the
       eye
    •  earlier symptoms become
       more severe

Severe Poisoning
       unconsciousness
       severe constriction of pupil of
       the eye
       muscle twitches
       secretions from mouth and
       nose
       breathing difficulty
       death if not treated.
                                      Illness may occur a few hours
                                    after exposure. But if symptoms
                                    start more than 12 hours after you
                                    were exposed to the pesticide, you
                                     Srobably have some other illness.
                                     heck with your physician to be
                                    sure.
  Several other pesticides may
cause symptoms similar to these.

Fumigants and Solvents
                           are:
  Too much exposure to these
chemicals may make a person
appear drunk. The symptoms i
    • poor coordination,
    • slurring words,
    • confusion, and
    • sleepiness.
First Aid Procedures
  Read the "Statement of
Practical Treatment" on each label.
The directions listed can save your
life and the lives of your family and
your workers.
  If you get a pesticide on your
skin:
     • Remove the pesticide as
       quickly as possible. Remove
       all contaminated clothing.
       Prompt washing may prevent
       sickness even when the spill
       is very large.  Detergents
       work better than soap in
       removing pesticides. Don't
       forget your hair and
       fingernails.
                                                  4-1

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  If you inhale a pesticide:
     o Get to fresh air right away.
  If you splash a pesticide into
your mouth or swallow it:
     0 Rinse your mouth with
       several glasses of water.
     o Go or be taken to a physician
       immediately.
     o It is sometimes dangerous to
       cause vomiting; follow label
       directions.
  If a person has  been poisoned,
do not leave him  alone.
  In addition, remember to bathe,
using a detergent, when you finish
working with pesticides or pesticide-
contaminated equipment. Any time
you spill a pesticide on yourself,
wash immediately.

Protecting Your Body
  The label of each pesticide you
use will tell you the kind of
protection you need.

Protective Clothing
  Body Covering—In general, any
time you handle pesticides, you
should wear;
     o a long-sleeved shirt and long-
       legged trousers, or
     o a coverall  type garment.
  Clothing should be made of
closely woven fabric. When you
handle pesticide concentrates or very
toxic materials, also wear a liquid-
proof raincoat or apron. Trousers
should be outside  of the boots to keep
pesticides from getting inside.
                .'->X
  Gloves—Gloves should be long
enough to protect your wrist. They
should be made of neoprene and not
lined with a fabric. Never use cotton
or leather gloves unless the label
tells you to. Sleeves should be
outside of the gloves to keep
pesticides from running down the
sleeves and into the gloves.
  Hat—Always wear something to
protect your head. A wide-brimmed,
waterproof hat will help protect your
head, neck, eyes, mouth, and face.
Wide-brimmed plastic "hard hats"
are good. They are waterproof and
easy to clean and are cool in hot
weather. A plastic sweatband is
best.
  Care of Clothing—Wear clean
clothing daily. If clothes get wet
with spray, change them right away.
If they get wet with pesticide
concentrates or highly toxic
pesticides, destroy them. They are
hard to get clean  in normal home
laundering. Never store or wash
pesticide contaminated clothing with
the family laundry. Wash hats,
gloves, and boots  daily. Test gloves
For leaks by filling them with water
and gently squeezing.
  Wash goggles or face shields at
least once a day. Elastic fabric
headbands absorb pesticides. Use
neoprene headbands.


Respiratory  Protective Devices

  You must wear an approved
respiratory device when the label
directs you to do so. Follow the  label
instructions on respiratory
protection.
                                       Boots—Wear unlined neoprene
                                     boots. Do not use leather or canvas
                                     boots unless the label tells you to.
                                     Chemical Cartridge
                                    Respirators—These half-face
                                    masks cover the mouth and nose.
  Goggles or Face Shield—Wear
goggles or a face shield when
handling pesticides to avoid getting
pesticides in your eyes.
                                                  4-2

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                                    How Pesticides Harm the     Safe Use Precautions
  Chemical Canister
Respirators (Gas Masks)—
Canister respirators cover your face.
When correctly fitted they protect
the face better than cartridge
respirators.
  Do not use either  cartridge
or canister respirators for
protection during space fumigation
or when the oxygen supply is low.
Use special breathing devices as
directed on the label.

   Selection and Maintenance—
Be sure you choose a respirator that
is made to protect against the
pesticides you use. Use only those
approved by the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) or the Mining Enforcement
and Safety Administration (MESA).
   The respirator you choose must fit
your face. Long sideburns, a beard,
or glasses can prevent a good seal.
   Read the manufacturer's
instructions on the use and care of
any respirator and its parts before
you use it.
   When applying pesticides, change
cartridges and canisters if you have
trouble breathing or if you smell
pesticides. After use, remove and
dispose of them as you would excess
pesticides. Wash the face piece with
detergent and water, rinse it, and
dry it with a clean cloth after each
use. Store your respirator in a clean,
dry place away from pesticides. If
you have trouble breathing while
wearing a respirator, see your
physician to find out if you have a
respiratory problem.
 Environment

 Here are some ways damage can
 occur.

 Direct Kill
   Fine mists of herbicide can drift to
 nearby crops or landscape plants and
 kill them. You can kill bees and
 other pollinators if you treat a crop
 with a pesticide while they are in
 the field. Or you could kill the
 natural enemies of pest insects.
   Life in streams or ponds can be
 wiped out by:
     o  accidental spraying of ditches
       and waterways.
     o  runoff from  sprayed fields,
     o  careless tank filling or
       draining, or
     o  careless container disposal.
   If more than one pesticide will
 control the pest, choose  the one that
 is the least hazardous to the
 environment and most useful for
 your situation. Ask your
 Cooperative Extension agent to help
 you make this choice.

 Persistence and Accumulation
   Not all pesticides act  the same
 after you apply them. Most are in
 one of these two groups:
  Pesticides that break down quickly
 remain in the environment only a
 short time before being changed into
 harmless products.
  Pesticides that break down slowly
 may stay in the  environment
 without change for a long time. They
 are called persistent pesticides.
  Some persistent pesticides can
 build up in the bodies of animals,
 including man. These pesticides are
 called accumulative.

Pesticide Movement in the
 Environment
  Pesticides become problems when
 they move off target. This may
 mean:
    o drifting out of the target area
      in the form of dust or mist,
    o moving on soil particles by
      erosion,
    o leaching through the soil,
    o being carried out as residues
      in crops and livestock, or
    o evaporating and  moving with
      air currents.
You can prevent harm from
pesticides if you follow safety
precautions and use common sense.
Here are the minimum safety steps
you should take.

Before You Buy a Pesticide
   The first and most important step
in choosing a pesticide is to know
what pest you need to control. Then
find out which pesticides will control
it. You may have a choice of several.
Ask your dealer or Cooperative
Extension agent to help you.

At the Time of Purchase
   Read the label of the pesticide you
intend to buy to find out:
     o restrictions on use,
     o if this is the correct chemical
       for your problem,
     o if the product can be used
       safely under your conditions,
     o environmental precautions
       needed,
     o if the formulation and
       amount of active ingredient
       are right for your job,
     ° if you have the right
       equipment to apply the
       pesticide,
     o if you have the right
       protective clothing and
       equipment, and
     o how much pesticide you need.

Before You Apply the Pesticide
   Read the label again to find out:
     o the protective equipment
       needed to handle the
       pesticide,
     o the specific warnings and
       precautions,
     o what it can be mixed with,
     o how to mix it,
     o how much to use,
     o safety measures,
     o when to apply to control the
       pest and to avoid illegal
       residues,
     o how to apply,
     o the rate of application, and
     o special instructions.

Transportation of Pesticides
   You are responsible for the safe
transport of your pesticide.
     o The safest way to carry
       pesticides is in the back of a
       truck. Fasten down all
       containers to prevent
       breakage and spillage.
     o Keep pesticides away from
       food, feed, and passengers.
                                                    4-3

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     • Pesticides should be in their
       original labeled packages.
       Keep paper and cardboard
       packages dry.
     • If any pesticide is spilled in
       or from the vehicle, clean it
       up right away. Use the
       correct cleanup method.
     • Do not leave  unlocked
       pesticides unattended. You
       are responsible if accidents
       occur.

Pesticide Storage
  The label will tell  you how to store
the product.
  The storage place  should keep the
pesticides dry, cool, and out of direct
sunlight.
    The storage place should have:
    • fire-resistant  construction,
       including a cement floor,
    • an exhaust fan for
       ventilation,
    • good lighting, and
    • a lock on the  door.
  Keep the door locked when the
building is not in use.
  Store all pesticides in the original
labeled containers.
  Do not store them with food, feed,
seed,  or animals.
  Check every container often for
leaks or breaks. If one is damaged,
transfer the contents to a container
that has held exactly the  same
pesticide. Clean up any spills. Use
correct cleanup methods.

 Mixing and Loading Pesticides
   Keep livestock, pets, and people
 out of the mixing and loading area.
   Work outdoors. Do not work alone.
 Choose a place with good light and
 ventilation. Do not mix or load
 pesticides indoors or at night unless
 there is good lighting and
 ventilation.
   Before  handling a pesticide
 container, put on the correct
 protective clothing and equipment.
   Each time you use a pesticide,
 read the directions for mixing. Do
 this before you open the container.
 This is essential.  Directions,
 including amounts and methods,
 may have changed since you last
 used the product.
   When taking a pesticide out of the
 container, keep the container and
 pesticide below eye level. This will
 avoid a splash or spill on your
 goggles or protective clothing.
  If you splash or spill a pesticide
 while mixing or loading:
     * stop right  away.
     • remove contaminated
       clothing.
     • wash thoroughly with
       detergent  and water. Speed is
       essential.
     • use correct cleanup methods
       to clean up the spill.
  When mixing pesticides, measure
carefully.  Use only the amount
called for  on the label. Mix only  the
amount you plan  to use.
  When loading pesticides, stand so
the wind blows across your body
from the right or  left to avoid
contaminating yourself.
  To prevent spills, replace all pour
caps and close containers after use.
Pesticide Application
  Wear the protective clothing and
equipment the label requires.
  To prevent spillage of chemicals,
check all application equipment for:
     •  leaking hoses, pumps or
       connections, and
     •  plugged, worn, or dripping
       nozzles.
  Use water to calibrate your spray
equipment before use.
  Before starting a field application,
clear all livestock and people from
the area to be treated.
  Drift is the movement of spray
droplets or dust particles away from
the target area. To minimize drift,
apply pesticides only on days with
light breezes. If moderate to strong
winds come up while  you are
working, stop immediately.
  You also can reduce drift by
spraying at the lowest practical
pressure and using the largest
practical nozzle openings for the job
you are doing.
  Vaporization is the evaporation of
an active ingredient during or after
application. Pesticide vapors can
cause injury far from the site of
application. High temperatures
increase vaporization. You can
reduce vaporization by:
     •  choosing pesticide
       formulations that do not
       evaporate easily, and
     •  spraying in the cooler parts of
       the day.
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Cleaning Equipment
  Mixing, loading, and application
equipment must be cleaned as soon
as you finish using it. Clean both the
inside and outside. Wear the
protective clothing you would wear
for mixing pesticides.
   Take special care if you must
make equipment repairs before the
equipment is completely cleaned.
   Have a special area for cleaning.
It is best for the area to have a wash
rack or concrete apron with a good
sump. This will catch all
contaminated wash water and
pesticides. Dispose of sump wastes
by burning or burial as you would
excess pesticides. Keep drainage out
of water supplies and streams.

Disposal
Excess Pesticides

   If you have excess diluted
pesticides or pesticides in their
original containers:
     • Use them up according to
       label directions; if you
       cannot,
     • bury them in a special
       landfill or store them until
       you can.
Empty Containers

  Rinse and drain all metal, plastic,
or glass containers this way:
     1—Empty the container into the
       tank. Let it drain an extra
       30 seconds.
     2—Fill it one-fifth to one-fourth
       full of water.
     3—Replace and tighten the
       closure and shake the
       container. Upend the
       container so the rinse
       reaches all the inside
       surfaces.
     4—Drain the rinse water from
       the container into the tank.
       Let the container drain for
       30 seconds after emptying.
     5—Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 two
       more times.
   You can bury rinsed containers
singly in open fields. Puncture or
break the containers before burying
them. Bury them at least 18 inches
below the surface where they will
not pollute surface or subsurface
water. Or you can dispose of empty
rinsed containers in a sanitary
landfill. Check state and local
regulations.
   You may burn small numbers of
paper containers in open fields. Stay
out of fumes  and smoke. Be sure
your state and local regulations
permit open burning.
Cleanup of Spills
  Keep people away from spilled
chemicals.
  If the pesticide was spilled on
anyone, give the correct first aid.
  Confine the spill. Dike it up with
sand or soil if necessary.
  Use an absorbent material to soak
up the spill. You can use soil,
sawdust, or a special product made
to do this. Shovel all contaminated
material into a leakproof container
for disposal. Dispose of it in a special
landfill.
  If the spill is on a state highway,
call the highway patrol.
  If the spill is on a county road or a
city  street, call the county sheriff or
city  police.
  If water is contaminated, notify
your county health officials.

Safe Entry Times
  It may be dangerous for an
unprotected person to enter an area
immediately after  some pesticides
have been used.  The time that must
pass before the area is safe for a
person without protective clothing is
called a safe-entry time, or reentry
period. This time is given on the
label of each pesticide that may
cause a reentry problem. Reentry
may pose special problems in some
areas. Check with  local authorities
for any special rules that may apply.
                                                  4-5

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Application
Equipment
The pesticide application equipment
you use is important to the success
of your pest control job. You must
first select the right kind of
equipment. Then you must  use it
correctly to suit your needs and take
good care of it. Here are some things
you should know about choosing,
using, and caring for equipment.


Sprayers

Hand Sprayers
  Hand sprayers are for small jobs
around the farm and home. You can
use them in restricted areas where a
power sprayer would not work.

Advantages:

    • economical,
    • simple, and
    • easy to use, clean, and store.

Limitations:

    • may give an uneven
       application rate because of
       hand operation, and
    • lack agitation and screening
       for using wettable powder
       formulations. You must
       shake the sprayer often to
       provide agitation.

Low Pressure Field Sprayers
  Most of these sprayers are used for
treating field and forage crops,
pastures, and fence rows. They also
may be used to apply fertilizer-
pesticide mixtures.

Advantages

    • medium to large tanks,
    • low cost,
    • light weight, and
    • versatility.
Limitations

    •  low gallonage output limits
       their use when high volume
       is needed,
    •  low pressure limits pesticide
       penetration, and
    •  agitation is limited.

High Pressure Sprayers
  These are often called hydraulic
sprayers. They are designed to
deliver high volumes (100 or more
gallons per acre) at high pressure
(above 100 psi). They are used to
spray fruits, vegetables, landscape
plants, and livestock.

Advantages:

    •  well built,
    •  usually have mechanical
       agitation,
    •  durable.

Limitations:
       high cost,
       large -amounts of water,
       power, and fuel needed,
       nigh tire loads, and
       high pressure which makes a
       spray that drifts easily.
Air Blast Sprayers
  These units use a high speed
airstream to break up the nozzle
output into fine drops which move
with the airstream to the target. The
air is directed to either one or both
sides as the sprayer moves forward.

Advantages:

    •  good coverage and
       penetration,
    •  low pump pressures, and
    •  mechanical agitation.

Limitations:

    •  drift hazards,
    •  chance of overdosages,
    •  difficult to use in small areas,
       and
    •  hard to confine spray
       discharge to specific target.
Ultra Low Volume (ULV)
Sprayers
   Deliver undiluted special pesticide
formulations. High speed airstreams
may be used to break up and direct
the spray.

Advantages:

    •  no water is needed, and
    •  equal control with less
       pesticide.

Limitations:

    •  does not provide for thorough
       wetting,
    •  hazards of using high
       concentrates,
    •  chance  of overdosage, and
    •  small number of pesticides
       that can be used this way.

Nozzles
  There are five basic nozzle types.
All other types are variations. They
are:
    Solid Stream—A single jet
used in handguns to spray a distant
target or fixed in a nozzle body to
apply a narrow band or to inject into
the soil.
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    Flat Fan—This type has three
different variations:
      The regular flat fan nozzle
      makes a narrow oval pattern
      with lighter edges. It is used
      on booms for broadcast
      spraying and is designed to
      be overlapped 30-50 percent
      for even distribution.
    Hollow Cone—This nozzle
forms a pattern that is circular with
tapered edges and little or no spray
in the center. It is used for spraying
foliage.  There are two types of
hollow cone nozzles:
    • the core and disk, and
    • the whirl chamber.
      The even flat fan nozzle
      makes a uniform pattern
      across its width. It is used for
      band spraying and for
      spraying walls and other
      surfaces.
    Solid Cone—This nozzle forms
a circular pattern. The spray is well-
distributed throughout the pattern.
It is used for spraying foliage.
 effective swath width when attached
 to the end of a boom.

   You can get nozzles in many
 materials. Here are the main
 features of each kind.
    Brass:
     • Inexpensive,
     • Wears quickly from abrasion,
     • Probably the best material
       for limited use.
    Stainless Steel:
     • Will not corrode,
     • Resists abrasion, especially if
       it is hardened,
     • Probably the best material
       for extensive use.
    Plastic:
     • Resists corrosion and
       abrasion,
     • Swells when exposed to some
       solvents.
    Aluminum:
     • Resists some corrosive
       materials,
     • Is easily corroded by some
       fertilizers.
    Tungsten Carbide and Ceramic:
     • Highly resistant to abrasion
       and corrosion,
    • Expensive.

Use and Care of Nozzles

  Use nozzles of uniform type and
 size. Nozzle caps should not be over-
 tightened. Adjust nozzle height and
 spacing to suit the target. Follow the
 nozzle manufacturer's instructions
 and the directions on the pesticide
 label.
   Replace any nozzles having faulty
 spray patterns.
   Check each nozzle for uniform
 flow using water and a jar marked
 in ounces. Replace any with flow 5
 percent more or less than the
 average of the nozzles in the system.
   Clean nozzles only with a
 toothbrush or wooden toothpick.

Operation and Maintenance
   Always read and follow the
 operator's manual. It will tell you
 how to use and care for your sprayer.
Always drain and rinse your sprayer
 after each use. Check for leaks
before and during use. Be alert for
nozzle clogging and changes in
 nozzle patterns.
    • The flooding nozzle makes a
      wide-angle flat spray pattern.
      It works at lower pressures
      than the other flat fan
      nozzles. Its pattern is fairly
      uniform across its width. It is
      used for broadcast spraying.
    Broadcast—This nozzle forms
a wide flat fan pattern. It is used on
boomless sprayers and to extend the


              5-2

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  If nozzles clog or other trouble
occurs in the field, shut off the
sprayer and move it to the edge of
the field before dismounting to
correct the problem. Wear protective
clothing while making repairs.
  Store sprayers properly after use.
But first, rinse and clean the system.
Then fill the tank almost full with
clean water. Add a small amount of
new light oil to the tank. Coat the
system by pumping tank contents
out through the nozzles. Drain the
pump and plug its openings  or fill
the pump with light oil or antifreeze.
Remove nozzles and nozzle screens
and store in light oil or diesel fuel.


Dusters and Granular
Applicators

Hand Dusters
  Like hand sprayers, hand  dusters
are used mainly around homes and
in gardens. They may consist of a
squeeze tube or shaker, a sliding
tube, or a fan powered by a hand
crank.

Advantage:

     o  the pesticide is ready to
       apply.

Limitations:

     o high cost for pesticide,
     o hard to get good foliar
       coverage, and
     o dust is subject to drifting.
target. They range from knapsack
types to those mounted on or pulled
by tractors.

Advantages:

     o simply built,
     o easy to maintain, and
     o low in cost.

Limitations:

     o drift hazards,
     o high cost of pesticide, and
     o application may be less
       uniform than sprays.

Granular Applicators
  These include:
     o hand-carried spinning disk
       types for broadcast coverage,
     o mounted equipment for
       applying bands over the row
       in row crops, and
     o mounted or tractor-drawn
       machines for broadcast
       coverage.

Advantages:

     o eliminates mixing,
     ° is low in cost, and
     o minimizes drift.

Limitations:

     o high cost for pesticide,
     o limited use against some
       pests because granules won't
       stick to most plants.

Use  and Maintenance
  Dusters and granular applicators
are speed-sensitive, so maintain
uniform speed. Do not travel too fast
for ground conditions. Bouncing
equipment will cause the application
rate to vary. Stay out of any dust
cloud that may form.
     Watch banders to see that band
width stays the same. Small height
changes due to changing soil
conditions may cause rapid changes
in band width.
     Clean equipment as directed by
the operator's manual.
Calibration

Calibration is simply adjusting your|
equipment to apply the desired rate*
of pesticide. You need to do this so
that you can be sure you are using
each pesticide as directed on the
label. Too much pesticide is
dangerous; too little will not do a
good job. Only by calibrating
correctly can you safely get the best
results.
  There are many ways to calibrate
equipment. The preferred methods
differ according to the kind of
equipment used. Your Cooperative
Extension agent can  show you how
to calibrate your equipment. Here is
one basic method for sprayers and
another for dusters and granular
applicators.
Power Dusters
  Power dusters use a powered fan
or blower to propel the dust to the
Sprayers
  To apply a pesticide evenly and
accurately, your sprayer must move
at a constant speed when in use. It
also must be pumping at a constant
pressure. Each nozzle must be clean
and at the right height. All nozzles
must be of the correct type and size.
Each nozzle in the system must
deliver its rated amount of pesticide.
  First, choose the speed, pumping
pressure, and nozzles that you want
to use. Fill the spray tank with
water and operate the sprayer in
place to fill the system. Then top off
the tank. Spray one acre as if you
were applying the pesticide.
Measure the amount of water
needed to refill your tank. This is
your application rate per acre. If it
takes 8 gallons to  refill the tank, you
are spraying at the rate of 8 gallons
per acre. If your sprayer  has a tank
of more than 10   gallons capacity,
spray an area large enough to use at
least 10 percent of the tank capacity.
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   If your sprayer is delivering more
 or less spray than the label directs,
 you can change the rate three ways:
     o You can change the pressure.
       Lower pressure means less
       spray delivered; higher
       pressure means more spray
       delivered. Pressure change
       may change the nozzle
       pattern  and droplet size.
       Pressure must be increased 4
       times to double the output.
     ° You can change the speed of
       your sprayer. Slower speed
       means more spray delivered;
       faster speed means less spray
       delivered. If you drive half as
       fast, you double the delivery
       rate.
     o You can change the nozzle
       tips to change the amount
       delivered. The larger the hole
       in the tip, the more spray
       delivered. This is the best
       method  for making major
       changes in the delivery rate
       of sprayers. Always select
       nozzles for the job you want
       done.  Use the manufacturer's
       performance charts to make
       your selection.
   After making a pressure, speed, or
 nozzle change,  recalibrate your
 sprayer to measure its delivery rate.
   You now know how many gallons
 of spray per acre your equipment
 will apply. Next you must find out
 how much pesticide to put in the
 tank to apply the correct dosage of
 pesticide. To do this you need to
 know two more facts:
     o How much your sprayer tank
o      holds.
     o The amount of formulation to
       be used per acre; this will be
       listed on the label.
   Suppose your tank holds 50
 gallons of spray. The directions say
 to apply one pint of formulation on
 each acre. In our example, you found
 that your sprayer applies 8 gallons
 per acre. First  find the number of
 acres one tank load will spray.
 Divide  50 gallons by 8.
                     Then find the amount of
                   formulation you must add to your
                   tank so you can spray 6V4 acres
                   with one pint per acre. Multiply 1
                   pint by 6^4.

                    1 pint per acre x 6Vt acres per tankful
                         = 6V4 pints per tankful.

                    Suppose the formulation of a
                   pesticide is a 50 percent wettable
                   powder and you want to apply lk
                   pound of active ingredient per acre.
                   In our example your tank covers
                   6% acres.
                   '  Find how many pounds of
                   formulation are needed to apply 1k
                   pound of active ingredient per acre.
                   There is 1k pound of active
                   ingredient in  1 pound of 50  percent
                   wettable powder  formulation.
                     So you need to use 1 pound of
                   formulation for each acre your
                   sprayer  will cover.

                    1 pound per acre x  6% acres per tankful
                         = 6% pounds per tankful.


                     You should  add the 6V* pounds of
                   wettable powder to a small  amount
                   of water in a clean bucket. Stir until
                   it is mixed well and then add this
50 gallons per tankful

  8 gallons per acre
= 61/t acres per tankful
                                   spraying and recalibrate. If you have
                                   figured wrong or your sprayer
                                   delivery rate changes, you will be
                                   able to catch it before you make a
                                   major mistake.

                                   Dusters and Granular
                                   Applicators
                                        o  Read the manufacturer's
                                          operator's manual. Follow
                                          these instructions to set the
                                          gate openings for the product
                                          you are going to  use.
                                          Caution: Always  set the
                                          openings from the same
                                          direction, such as from closed to
                                          open. This will minimize
                                          variations in settings.
                                        o  Fill each hopper  to an easily
                                          determined level.
                                        o  Operate the equipment over a
                                          measured area or distance at
                                          your normal working speed.
                                          The area should be at least 1k
                                          acre or 1,000 feet of row.
                                        o  Refill the hopper to the same
                                          level, carefully weighing the
                                          amount of pesticide needed.
                                        o  The amount of pesticide it
                                          takes to refill the hopper is
                                          the amount applied to the
                                          measured area or distance. If
                                          the amount applied does not
                                          fall within 5 percent of the
                                          recommended dosage, reset
                                          the gate openings and repeat
                                          the previous three steps.
                                        o  Keep a record of the acreage
                                          treated with each filling of
                                          the hopper. This  will let you
                                          see any slight change in rate
                                          of application and make the
                                          necessary adjustments.
mixture (called a slurry) to the
partly filled tank. Remember to
operate the sprayer's agitator while
adding the mixture and filling the
tank.
  Even after your  sprayer is
calibrated, you should recheck it
often. Be sure you  are spraying the
same area for each tankful as you
figured on. If you are spraying more
or less area than you planned, stop
                                                  5-4

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Laws and
Regulations
                                                                    Federal Insecticide,
                                                                    Fungicide, and Rodenticide
                                                                    Act (FIFRA), as Amended

                                                                    This is the law which requires you to
                                                                    show  that you know the correct way
                                                                    to use and handle pesticides. Here
                                                                    are the parts of the law which
                                                                    concern you:
                                                                        • It says that all pesticide uses
                                                                           must be classified as either
                                                                           general or restricted,
                                                                        • It requires you to be certified
                                                                           as competent to use any of
                                                                           the pesticides classified for
                                                                           restricted use, and
                                                                        • It provides penalties (up to
                                                                           $1,000 and 30 days in prison)
                                                                           for people who do not obey
                                                                           the law.

                                                                    Residues
                                                                       The pesticide that stays in or on
                                                                    raw farm products is called a
                                                                    residue. The Federal Food, Drug,
                                                                    and Cosmetic Act gives EPA the
                                                                    authority to say what amounts of
                                                                    residue are safe. These amounts are
                                                                    called tolerances.
                                                                       Tolerances are expressed in "parts
                                                                    per million" (ppm). One ppm equals
                                                                    one part (by weight) of pesticide for
                                                                    each million parts of the farm
                                                                    product. Using pounds as a measure,
                                                                    50 ppm would be 50 pounds of
                                                                    pesticide in a million pounds of the
                                                                    product. The same pesticide may
                                                                    have  a different tolerance on
                                                                    different products.
                                                                       Label instructions take these
                                                                    things into account. They will tell
                                                                    you how many days before harvest
                                                                    the pesticide may be applied. Follow
                                                                    the label exactly.
                                                                     6-1

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Other Terms Used
in Pest Control
   Some of these words have several
 meanings. Those given here are the
 ones that relate to pest control.
Abrasion: The process of wearing away by
      rubbing.
Abscission: The separation of fruit, leaves,
     or stems from a plant.
Absorption: The process by which a
     chemical  is taken into plants, animals,
     or minerals. Compare with adsorption.
Activator:  A chemical added to a pesticide
     to increase its activity.
Adherence: Sticking to a surface.
Adjuvant:  Inert ingredient added to a
     pesticide  formulation  to make it  work
     better.
Adsorption: The process by which chemicals
     are  held on the surface of a mineral or
     soil particle. Compare with absorption.
Adulterated: Any pesticide whose strength
     or purity  falls below the quality stated
     on its label. Also, a food, feed, or product
     that contains illegal pesticide residues.
Aerobic: Living in air. The opposite of
     anaerobic.
Aerosol: An extremely fine mist or fog
     consisting of solid or liquid particles
     suspended in air. Also, certain
     formulations used to produce a fine
     mist.
Agitation: The process of stirring or mixing
     in a sprayer.
Alkaloids:  Chemicals present in some
     plants. Some are used as pesticides.
Anaerobic: Living in the absence of air. The
     opposite of aerobic.
Animal Sign:  The evidences of an animal's
     presence in an area.
Antagonism: The loss of activity of a
     chemical  when exposed to another
     chemical.
Antibiotic: A substance which is used to
     control pest microorganisms.
Antidote: A practical treatment for
     poisoning, including first aid.
Aqueous: A term used to indicate the
     presence of water in a solution.
Arsenicals: Pesticides containing arsenic.
Aseptic: Free  of disease-causing organisms.
Bait Shyness: The tendency for rodents,
     birds,  or other pests to avoid a poisoned
     bait.
Bipyridyliums: A group of synthetic organic
     pesticides which includes the herbicide
     paraquat.
Botanical Pesticide: A pesticide made from
     plants. Also called plant-derived
     pesticides.
Broadleaf Weeds: Plants with broad,
     rounded, or flattened leaves.
Brush Control: Control of woody plants.
Carbamate: A synthetic organic pesticide
     containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen,
     and sulfur.
Carcinogenic: Can cause cancer.
Carrier: The inert liquid or solid material
     added to an active ingredient to prepare
     a pesticide formulation.
Causal Organism: The organism (pathogen)
     that produces a specific disease.
Chemosterilant: A chemical that can
     prevent reproduction.
Chlorinated Hydrocarbon: A synthetic
     organic pesticide that contains chlorine,
     carbon, and hydrogen. Same as
     organochlorine.
Chlorosis:  The yellowing of a plant's green
     tissue.
Cholinesterase: A chemical catalyst
     (enzyme) found in  animals that helps
     regulate the activity of nerve impulses.
Compatible: When two or more chemicals
     can be mixed without affecting each
     other's properties,  they are said to be
     compatible.
Concentration: The amount of active
     ingredient in a given volume or weight
     of formulation.
Contaminate:  To make impure or to pollute.
Corrosion: The process of wearing away by
     chemical means.
Crucifers:  Plants belonging to the mustard
     family, such as mustard, cabbage,
     turnip, and radish.
Cucurbits: Plants belonging to the  gourd
     family, such as pumpkin, cucumber, and
     squash.
Deciduous Plants: Perennial plants that
     lose their leaves during the winter.
Deflocculating Agent: A material  added to.
     a suspension to prevent settling.
Degradation: The  process by which a
     chemical is reduced to a less complex
     form.
 Dermal: Of the skin; through or by the skin.
 Dermal Toxicity: Ability of a chemical to
      cause injury when absorbed through the
      skin.

, Diluent: Any liquid or solid material used to
      dilute or carry an active ingredient.
 Dilute: To make thinner by adding water,
      another liquid, or a solid.
 Dispersing Agent:  A  material that reduces
      the attraction between particles.
 Dormant: State in which growth of seeds or
      other plant organs stops temporarily.

 Dose, Dosage:  Quantity of a pesticide
      applied.
 Emulsifier: A chemical which aids in
      suspending one liquid in another.
 Emulsion: A mixture  in which one liquid is
      suspended as tiny drops in another
      liquid, such as oil in water.
 Fungistat: A chemical that keeps fungi from
      growing.
 GPA: Gallons per acre.
 GPM: Gallons per minute.
 Growth Stages of Cereal Crops: (1)
      Tillering—when additional shoots are
      developing from the flower buds. (2)
      Jointing—when stem internodes begin
      elongating rapidly. (3) Booting—when
      upper leaf sheath swells due to the
      growth of developing spike or panicle.
      (4) Heading—when seed head is
      emerging from the upper leaf sheath.
 Hard (water): Water containing soluble
      salts of calcium and magnesium and
      sometimes iron.
 Herbaceous Plant: A plant that does not
      develop woody tissue.

 Host: The living plant or animal a pest
      depends on for survival.

 Hydrogen-Ion  Concentration: A measure
      of acidity or alkalinity, expressed in
      terms of the pH of the solution. For
      example, a  pH of 7 is neutral, from 1 to
      7 is acid, and from 7 to 14  is alkaline.
 Immune: Not susceptible to a disease or
      poison.
 Impermeable: Cannot be penetrated.
      Semipermeable means that some
      substances  can pass through and others
      cannot.

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Lactation: The production of milk by an
     animal, or the period during which an
     animal is producing milk.

Larva: The early form of an insect from the
     time that it leaves the egg until it
     becomes a pupa.
LC50: The concentration of an active
     ingredient in air which is expected to
     cause death in 50 percent of the test
     animals so treated. A means of
     expressing the toxicity of a compound
     present in air as dust, mist, gas, or
     vapor. It is generally expressed as
     micrograms per liter as a dust or mist
     but in the case of a gas or vapor as parts
     per million (ppm).
LD50: The dose of an active ingredient taken
     by mouth or absorbed by the skin which
     is expected to  cause death in 50 percent
     of the test animals so treated. If a
     chemical has an LD50 of 10 milligrams
     per kilogram (mg/kg) it is more toxic
     than one having an LD50 of 100 mg/kg.
Leaching: Movement of a substance
     downward or out of the soil as the result
     of water movement.
Mammals: Warm-blooded animals that
     nourish their young with milk. Their
     skin is more or less covered with hair.
Metamorphosis: A change in shape, form,
     and size in insects.

Miscible Liquids:  Two or more liquids that
     can be mixed and will remain mixed
     under normal  conditions.
MPH: Miles per hour.
Mutagenic: Can produce genetic change.
Necrosis: Localized death of living tissue
     such as the death of a certain area of a
     leaf.
Necrotic: Showing varying degrees of dead
     areas or spots.
Nitrophenols: Synthetic organic pesticides
     containing carbon, hydrogen,  nitrogen,
     and oxygen.
Noxious Weed: A plant defined as being
     especially undesirable or troublesome.
Nymph: The stage of development in certain
     insects after hatching. They look like
     the adult but lack fully developed
     wings.
Oral: Of the mouth; through or by the
     mouth.
Oral Toxicity: Ability of a pesticide to cause
     injury when taken by mouth.
Organic Compounds: Chemicals that
     contain carbon.
Organochlorine: Same as chlorinated
     hydrocarbon.
Organophosphate: A synthetic organic
     pesticide containing carbon, hydrogen,
     and phosphorus; parathion and
     malathion are  two examples.
Ovicide: A chemical that destroys eggs.
 Parasite: A plant or animal that lives on or
     in another plant or animal from which
     it gets food.
 Pathogen: Any disease-producing organism.
 Penetration: The act of entering or ability
     to enter.

 Pest: Living things that compete with man
     for food and fiber, or attack man
     directly.
 Phytotoxic: Harmful to plants.

 Pollutant: An agent or chemical that makes
     something impure or dirty.

 PPB: Parts per billion. A way to express the
     concentration of chemicals in foods,
     plants, and animals. One part per
     billion equals 1 pound in 500,000 tons.
 PPM:  Parts per million. A way to express
     the concentration of chemicals in foods,
     plants, and animals. One part per
     million equals 1 pound in 500 tons.

 Predator: An animal that destroys or eats
     other animals.
 Propellant: Liquid in self-pressurized
     pesticide products that forces the active
     ingredient from the container.
 PSI: Pounds per square inch.
 Pubescent: Having hairy leaves or stems.

 Pupa: The stage between the larva and
     adult in the development of some
     insects.

 Respiratory Tract: Having to do with or
     used for breathing; the lungs and other
     parts of the breathing system.

 Rhizome: A rootlike  underground stem.

 RPM:  Revolutions per minute.
 Safener: A chemical added to a pesticide to
     keep it from injuring plants.

 Seed Protectant: A chemical applied to seed
     before planting to protect seeds and new
     seedlings from disease and insects.
 Soil Sterilant:  A chemical that prevents the
     growth of all plants and animals in the
     soil. Soil sterilization-may be temporary
     or permanent, depending on the
     chemical.
 Soluble: Will dissolve in a liquid.
 Solution: Mixture of one or more substances
     in another in which all ingredients are
     completely dissolved.
 Solvent: A liquid which will dissolve a
     substance to form a solution.
 Spreader: A chemical which increases the
     area that a given volume of liquid will
     cover on a solid or on another liquid.
Sticker: A material added to a pesticide to
     increase its adherence.
 Stolon: An above-ground stem that produces
     roots.

Surfactant: A chemical which increases the
     emulsifying, dispersing, spreading, and
     wetting properties of a pesticide
     product.
Susceptible: Capable of being diseased or
     poisoned; not immune.
Susceptible Species: A plant or animal
     that is poisoned by moderate amounts of
     a pesticide.
Suspension: Finely divided solid particles
     mixed in a liquid.
Synergism: The joint action of two or more
     pesticides that is greater than the sum
     of their activity when used alone.
Target Pest: The pest at which a particular
     pesticide or other control method is
     directed.
Tolerance: (1) The ability of a living thing
     to withstand adverse conditions, such as
     pest attacks, weather extremes, or
     pesticides. (2) The amount of pesticide
     that may safely remain in or on raw
     farm products at time of sale.
Toxicant: A poisonous chemical.
Trade Name: Same as brand name.
Vapor Pressure: The property which causes
     a chemical to evaporate. The lower the
     vapor pressure, the more easily it will
     evaporate.
Vector: A carrier, such as an insect, that
     transmits a pathogen.
Viscosity: A property of liquids that
     determines whether they flow readily.
     Viscosity usually increases when
     temperature decreases.
Volatile: Evaporates at ordinary
     temperatures when exposed to air.
Wetting Agent: A chemical which causes a
     liquid to contact surfaces more
     thoroughly.
                                                                                       if U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1975 O—588-644

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Weights and Measures


Weights
16 ounces  =  1 pound
1 gallon water  =   8.34 pounds

Liquid Measure
1 fluid ounce  =  2 tablespoons
16 fluid ounces  =  1 pint
2 pints =  1 quart
8 pints = 4 quarts  =  1 gallon

Length
3 feet  =   1 yard
16 V2 feet  =  1 rod
5,280 feet = 320 rods  =   1 mile

Area
9 square feet  =  1 square yard
43,560 square feet =160 square
    rods   =  1 acre

Speed
1.466 feet per second = 88 feet per
    minute = 1 mph

Volume
27 cubic feet  =   1 cubic yard

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