PESTICIDES
IN YOUR
GARDEN
SOME TIPS ABOUT
PESTICIDES AND THEIR
ALTERNATIVES
JUNE 2001
&EPA
New {.Midland
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DO YOU REALLY NEED A PESTICIDE?
In your yard and garden, pests come in a variety of forms:
weeds, insects, molds, and fungi to name a few. Pesticides
provide relief from many pests, but they are not the only
solution to every problem. Review this booklet before making
your decision to use pesticides. Pesticides must be used with
caution. If used or disposed of incorrectly, they can harm
people, pets and plants, as well as pollute air, soil and water.
WHAT'S CAUSING YOUR PEST PROBLEM?
*Look over your entire landscape to see how
widespread the problem may be. Is there a
pattern? How extensive is the damage? How
severely are individual plants affected? Is the
entire plant damaged, or just one part such as
leaves, stems, flowers, or roots?
^-Consider other causes. Many problems
appear to be caused by pests. For example,
scorching of leaves may appear to be pest
damage, however, the plant may just need
additional water or fertilizer.
^Identify your pest accurately. If it is a pest
problem, identification is the key to control-
ling it. Your local yard and garden store,
library, and other resources in this brochure
can help.
In your yard and garden, pests
come in a variety of forms:
weeds, insects, molds, and
fungi to name a few.
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DO YOU NEED TO !
The need to control outdoor pests varies. Some weeds in your
garden, or some grubs in your lawn are tolerable, however,
certain pests present serious threats. Some pests can damage
human and animal health, like mosquitoes that may carry
diseases. Contact with poison ivy causes an itchy rash for
many people.
What are your options to manage your yard and garden?
Whenever possible, use prevention techniques, such as
allowing grass height to be over 2.5 inches. You can also use
non-chemical pest control methods such as hand picking
pests from leaves, otherwise known as cultural controls, a
component of IPM.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)
A process of balanced use of cultural, biological
and chemical procedures that are environmentally
compatible. It is a philosophy of pest control that
uses the best combination of these methods, IPM
promotes a healthy environment, is cost effective
and may offer longer-lasting results using fewer
pesticides.
You can use non-chemical pest
control methods such as hand
picking pests from leaves.
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CONTROL PESTS?
CAN YOU PREVENT A PEST PROBLEM?
^Research which plants will survive best in your
yard. Consider plants' tolerance to cold
weather. Plants are listed according to
hardiness zones, the higher the number, ihe
lower the tolerance. USDA hardiness zones for
New England: Southern NE: Zones 5-6,
Northern NE: Zones 3-4.
^Consider your soil type: sandy, silty or clay9
Use organic matter to adapt.
^Check the acidity of the soil (pH level). New
England soils tend to be on the acidic side.
* Mulch your gardens to eliminate weeds and
conserve soil moisture.
*Mow your lawn no shorter than 2.5 inches in
height to shade competing weeds and
discourage pests.
* Periodically rotate the position of plants in your
garden to minimize the spread of disease.
> Inspect the condition of store bought plants.
* Locate plants carefully, consider the plant's
tolerance to sun or shade.
*Know your plants' friends and enemies. There
are many beneficial insects and organisms that
are important to gardeners and farmers because
they kill great numbers of pests. A few examples
of these are: praying mantids, lacewing larvae,
ladybugs and even some insect parasites.
illy rotate the position
of plants in your garden to
minimize the spread of
disease
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WHAT TYPE OF PES1
If pesticide use is necessary, here are some things to consider
before you buy. There are several types of pesticides, with
different names and uses.
^INSECTICIDES control insects such as
mealybugs and grubs (beetle larvae).
^-HERBICIDES control vegetation such as
dandelions and crabgrass.
^-FUNGICIDES control some plant diseases such
as rose black spot and bolrytis (gray mold).
SHOPPING TIPS
*Know the size of the area to be treated, take
careful measurements.
*> Purchase only the amount of product needed
for the application.
^Calculate the correct amount, especially if the
pesticide is a concentrate which must be
diluted. Using too much of the active ingredi-
ent may damage your plants, cause harm to
yourself, pets and the environment, however
using too little product may not correct your
pest problem More is not better.
^Check for application equipment you need
(such as a hand held sprayer). If you have it
already, does it work properly? Do you need new
hoses or nozzles7
*Pick up any personal protection equipment
required such as gloves or goggles.
N
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OIDE DO YOU NEED?
Before applying the pesticide, make sure there are no other
people, including children or pets present, and remove any
toys or garden equipment from the area to be treated.
HOW DO YOU APPLY AND HANDLE THE PESTICIDE
SAFELY?
*Use common sense and realize the label may
not tell what to do in all situations.
^Choose the correct form: dusts, sprays,
granules, liquids,
^-Measure accurately and have the correct tools
available such as measuring cups or spoons.
Use these tools only for pesticide measuring.
^Time your application correctly. Some
pesticides affect a specific stage in the life
cycle of a pest, making the timing of applica-
tion very important. For example, a herbicide
used for crabgrass control, will kill only the
seedlings of crabgrass before they emerge from
the soil, there is little benefit applying the
herbicide after sprouting.
*Pay attention to other label instructions such as
not mowing or watering too soon after
application, however, some granular products
must be watered in to be effective.
^Check the label to be sure the pesticide is
approved for use on the vegetable or fruit plants
being treated.
^Check the weather conditions before you start
the application and do not spray in windy
conditions.
^Never leave the pesticide unattended when
using, especially near children and pets.
^Don't eat, drink or smoke while handling
pesticides. Wash your face and hands after
using the pesticide and before you smoke, eat
or use the toilet.
^Clean up any spills immediately.
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WHAT'S ON
TARGET PEST
Listing of pest(s) controlled. Frequently more than one pest
will be listed on the label.
FORM OF PESTICIDE
Products are sold as liquids, aerosols, granules, dusts, and
wettable powders, Note: Many pesticides are sold as "ready to
use". These products require no mixing or measuring, and may
be easier to use.
INDOOR OR OUTDOOR
The label will tell you if the product must be used indoors or
outdoors. Do not use garden pesticides indoors.
EPA REGISTRATION NUMBER
EPA has reviewed the product, it can be used according to
label directions,
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
The ingredient(s) that will control the target pest.
SIGNAL WORDS
Communicate the potential for making the user sick. Pesticides
vary in their toxicity to humans. Most of the products for use in
and around the home will have "caution" or "warning" as the
signal word.
CAUTION
least harmful, but must be handled
with care
WARNING
moderately hazardous
DANGER
very poisonous/irritating may have
skull and crossbones signal
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THE LABEL?
AUTiONARY STATEMENTS
Tells if protective clothing, such as gloves or goggles, are
required. Can also instruct you to keep children and pets away
from the pesticide when in use, and the treated area once the
application is complete.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Listing of possible sites of damage: water, birds, fish, plants,
animals.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
How to apply the product, where the product can be applied,
how much to use, how to dispose and store the pesticide
FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS
Actions to take an in emergency situation. If you need to
contact poison control or require medical assistance, have the
label handy to help emergency personnel.
YOU HAVE APPLIED THE PESTICIDE. WHAT'S
NEXT?
*Be patient! Depending on the type of
pesticide product, it may take some time
before control is seen. For certain herbicides,
it may take several days before seeing the
leaves of treated weeds yellow and curl.
*• Watch for your results; create a diary to record
your successes and failures.
Pesticides vary in their toxicity
to humans. Most products for
use in and around the home
will have'caution" or
"warning" as the signal word.
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STORAGE AN
STORAGE
>• Pesticides should be stored in the original
labeled container, covered tightly.
* Never store pesticides in the application
equipment or in containers that held food or
beverage
^Do not store the product near feed, seed, heat
sources or near flammable materials such as
gasoline or oily rags.
>Temperature and humidity may aflect
pesticides. The label will give you specifics.
*Keep pesticides out of the reach of children
and pets, preferably in a locked cabinet
USE PESTICIDES SAFELY!
READ THE LABEL!
IT'S THE LAW!
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D DISPOSAL
DISPOSAL
label offers general disposal instructions.
*• Containers should be rinsed three times.
* Potentially reusable containers should be
punctured to prevent re-use.
*0ld pesticides should be disposed o(, they
may no longer be effective or safe to use.
^Improper disposal can lead to health issues for
humans and pets, and environmental
contamination.
*NEVER pour pesticides down a drain, toilet or
curbside catch basin.
> NEVER re-use pesticide containers for any
purpose.
*NEVER put pesticides in containers used for
food purposes.
* Disposal problems can be prevented by buying
only the amount needed to do the job.
* Contact your local government, state
agriculture or environmental agency about
household hazardous waste collection
programs.
Improper disposal can lead to
health issues for humans and
pets, and environmental
contamination
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FOR FURTHER
* Your local garden center, library, and bookstore are
resources for information on gardening, outdoor pesl
management or assistance in problem diagnosis.
>> Community based garden clubs, botanical gardens, and
horticultural societies regularly share information and may
have staff available to answer questions.
*Surf the web! Type in key words, and explore!
* National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN):
1 -800-858-PEST(7378). This is a 24 hour hotline lor
assistance in emergencies and information about safety.
health and environmental effects, spill clean-up and
disposal procedures and referrals
POISON CONTROL CENTERS FOR NEW
ENGLAND
Provide help in pesticide poisonings. Have the
pesticide label with you if you call.
Connecticut: 800-343-2722
Massachusetts: 800-682-9211
Maine: 800-442-6305
Rhode Island 800-682-9211
New Hampshire: 800-562-8236
Vermont: 877-658-3456
Your local garden center,
library, and bookstore are
resources for information on
pest management.
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INFORMATION
Stale pesticide regulatory agencies in New England provide
information about pesticide regulations, investigate consumer
complaints and possible pesticide violations, spill clean-up
and disposal.
STATE REGULATORY AGENCIES IN NEW
ENGLAND
Connecticut Dept of Environmental Protection:
860-424-3369
Maine Board of Pesticides Control: 207-287-2731
Massachusetts Pesticide Bureau: 617-626-1700
New Hampshire Depl. of Ag. Markets and Food:
603-271-3550
Rhode Island Dept. of Env. Management:
401-222-2781
Vermont Plant Industry, Lab and Consumer
Assurance: 802-828-2431
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
(EPA) NEW ENGLAND OFFICE CUSTOMER CALL
CENTER:1-888-372-7341
EPA is the federal agency responsible for pesticide
regulation. No pesticide can be legally sold or
used in the U.S. unless its label has an EPA
registration number. EPA publications on
pesticide related issues can be ordered by calling
our Customer Call Center. More information is also
available on the Internet at: www.epa.gov/region1.
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NOTES
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SHOPPING TIPS
*Know the size of the area to be treated, take
careful measurements,
^-Purchase only the amount of product needed
for the application.
>\\ possible, purchase ready-to-use formulations
to avoid mixing, and some storage and
disposal problems.
^Calculate the correct amount, especially if the
pesticide is a concentrate which must be
diluted. Using too much of the active ingredi-
ent may damage your plants, cause harm to
yourself, pets and the environment, however too
little product may not correct your pest
problem. More is not better.
*Check for application equipment you need
(such as a hand held sprayer) If you have it
already, does it work properly? Do you need new
hoses, nozzles?
*Pick up any personal protection equipment
required such as gloves or goggles.
If pesticide use is one of your
options, here are some things
to consider before you buy.
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