AL PSEP

Read the label before purchase, before each application, and when you are storing or disposing the pesticide. Obtain competent assistance if something on the label is not understood.

Calibrate and maintain application equipment to make sure it will apply the pesticide product uniformly and at the correct rate.

Permanent buffers are areas or strips of land maintained in permanent vegetation, designed to intercept pesticide spray droplets, flowing water, and/or eroding soil. Permanent buffers also provide wildlife habitat around the farm or home. #FFA2021

If possible, use preventative pest control where pest resistance is known to be occurring. Preventative control prevents a pest outbreak by making an application before the problem appears, which can reduce the number of pesticide applications needed. #FFA2021

Seed treated with a pesticide may be hazardous to birds and other wildlife. The best way to dispose of a small quantity of leftover treated seed is to plant it more than one inch deep in a non-cropped area at a normal seeding rate. #FFA2021

Make sure you know how to dispose of the particular pesticide, following all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as the product label. #FFA2021

Your state’s household waste agency can provide recycling options or instructions on where to dispose of unwanted household pesticides. Check local newspapers for disposal events which may be hosted by local landfills #FFA2021

Granular lawn pesticides (or ‘weed and feed’ products containing both an herbicide and a fertilizer) that land on driveways or sidewalks should to be swept up or back onto the lawn. Pesticides move easily off paved or gravel surfaces into drains and ditches. #FFA2021

Wash clothing worn during pesticide application before re-use, wash it separately from other laundry, and properly discard items that have become heavily contaminated with pesticide. It is best to dispose of clothing that has been contaminated by undiluted product. #FFA2021

February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month! Watch for and be prepared to re-tweet information about pesticide safety to your “Twitter-verse” every day during the Month of February! Be safe and remember, the Label is the Law!

Anything that causes very fine droplets (wrong nozzle, clogged nozzle, high spray pressure, etc.) will increase the chance for pesticide spray drift. High temperatures and low relative humidity during application will also increase the chance for drift. #FFA2021

Clean up small liquid and dry pesticide spills immediately, using a good absorbent material such as cat litter, sand or sawdust. Know the proper handling and disposal practices for the spilled material. Always consult the label! #FFA2021

Don’t treat when rainfall is imminent or when winds are moderate (greater than 8 mph or the maximum indicated on the pesticide label). These conditions may decrease performance of the pesticide and/or move it off-target. #FFA2020

Even if no Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required on the pesticide label, it is best to wash your work clothes promptly and separately from other laundry. #FFA2020

Determine how often you will calibrate your pesticide application equipment, based on the types of nozzles and formulations that are used. It is better to calibrate more often than needed, than not enough, because worn nozzles can change the application rate or pattern. #FFA2020

Increasing the pesticide rate beyond the maximum allowed on the label has no advantages. Applying higher than labeled rates is not only illegal, it can promote the development of resistance and will add cost. #FFA2020