precautions while using pesticides

Precautions while using Pesticides

Pesticides are substances meant for attracting, seducing, destroying, or mitigating any pest.
1. Pesticides
Pesticides are poisonous and must be used with caution. READ THE LABEL BEFORE OPENING A PESTICIDE CONTAINER. Follow all label precautions and directions, including requirements for protective equipment. Apply pesticides only on the crops or in the situations listed on the label. Apply pesticides at the rates specified on the label or at lower rates if suggested in this publication. In California, all agricultural uses of pesticides must be reported. Contact your county agricultural commissioner for further details. Laws, regulations, and information concerning pesticides change frequently. This publication reflects legal restrictions current on the date next to each pests name.
2. Legal responsibility
The user is legally responsible for any damage due to misuse of pesticides. Responsibility extends to effects caused by drift, runoff, or residues. all agricultural uses of pesticides must be reported. Contact your county agricultural commissioner for further details. Laws, regulations, and information concerning pesticides change frequently. This publication reflects legal restrictions current on the date next to each pests name.
3. Transportation
Do not ship or carry pesticides together with food or feed in a way that allows contamination of the edible items. Never transport pesticides in a closed passenger vehicle or in a closed cab. Practically all pesticides toxic to man and other animals; however they differ in their degree of toxicity. Therefore, improper and excessive use of pesticides may prove to be hazardous to man and his domesticated animals. Pesticides irritate the skin and the respiratory system of human beings.
4. Storage
Keep pesticides in original containers until used. Store them in a locked cabinet, building, or fenced area where they are not accessible to children, unauthorized persons, pets, or livestock. DO NOT store pesticides with foods, feed, fertilizers, or other materials that may become contaminated by the pesticides.
5. Container disposal
Dispose of empty containers carefully. Never reuse them. Make sure empty containers are not accessible to children or animals. Never dispose of containers where they may contaminate water supplies or natural waterways. Consult your county agricultural commissioner for correct procedures for handling and disposal of large quantities of empty containers.
6. Protection of nonpest animals and plants
Many pesticides are toxic to useful or desirable animals, including honey bees, natural enemies, fish, domestic animals, and birds. Crops and other plants may also be damaged by misapplied pesticides. Take precautions to protect nonpest species from direct exposure to pesticides and from contamination due to drift, runoff, or residues. Certain rodenticides may pose a special hazard to animals that eat poisoned rodents.
7. Posting treated fields
For some materials, restricted entry intervals are established to protect field workers. Keep workers out of the field for the required time after application and, when required by regulations, post the treated areas with signs indicating the safe re entry date. Check with your county agricultural commissioner for latest restricted entry interval.
8. Preharvest intervals
Some materials or rates cannot be used in certain crops within a specified time before harvest. Follow pesticide label instructions and allow the required time between application and harvest. Keep the pesticides in closed, properly labeled containers, away from the reach of animals and children.
9. Permit requirements
Many pesticides require a permit from the county agricultural commissioner before possession or use. When such materials are recommended, they are marked with an asterisk (*) in the treatment tables or chemical sections of this publication.
10. Maximum residue levels
Before applying pesticides to crops destined for export, check maximum residue levels (MRLs) of the importing country. Keep leaky containers in a separate corner. Cover spilled area with sand or sawdust, scrape it and dump the sand /sawdust in a pit away from source of water. Dispose off expired material carefully by burning.