As people become more aware of the environmental damage around them, they have become more concerned about pesticide safety. While minimizing pesticide use is always a good idea, there are times when a pesticide is the only thing that will take care of your problem. Pesticides can be used safely, with a few precautions. Making sure the pesticide you use is the right one for your problem, understanding the risks of a given pesticide, and following the label will help you safely use pesticides around your family and pets.
Although pesticide means insecticide to most people, it is really an umbrella term that covers a broad variety of substances that are intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests. Insecticides kill insects and other bugs. Herbicides kill plants. Fungicides kill fungus. Poisons, such as rat bait, kill animals. Plant growth regulators prevent plants from growing normally or at all, depending on the product. Insect growth regulators do the same for insects that pass through stages, such as the dreaded grasshopper. Defoliants and desiccants cause plants to drop their leaves. These are often used on cotton and other crops that are mechanically harvested.
\"face Mask\"
All pesticides are poisonous. Some pesticides are extremely poisonous and are only sold to individuals who have a pesticide applicator's license. Other pesticides are sold in high concentrations and are intended for commercial use, where they are diluted by thousands of gallons of water. Finally, the most benign pesticides are sold in small quantities, low concentrations, and in forms intended for use around the home. Never use commercial pesticides, or commercial strengths of pesticides, around your home. You will endanger your family and your pets. For instance Seven Dust ® is sold for home use at five to seven percent strength. The same chemical is sold to fruit, nut, berry, and vegetable commercial growers at eighty percent strength. Were you to use commercial Seven Dust ® on your dog or child, he would die very quickly.
Before you buy a pesticide, make sure it is the appropriate product for your problem. For example, if you use an insecticide on a plant that is infested with insects because it has a fungus, not only will you not solve the root problem (pardon the pun), but you will wipe out all of your beneficial insects along with your problem insects. Once you have identified the pest you are dealing with, you must find a pesticide that will kill that pest. Sometimes that is easy. Rat bait kills mice. Other times that is not easy. There are not a lot of pesticides that can be used on vegetables, particularly around harvest time.
Remember that all the information you need to know about a pesticide is on the label. In fact, federal law specifies what must appear on a pesticide label. It also specifies that using a product in a way that does not appear on the label is a violation of federal law. For instance, Seven Dust ® 7% says that it kills fleas and ticks and may be used on dogs and humans. The label specifically tells you not to use this product on cats. They lick themselves, ingest the product, and die. If you put Seven Dust ® 7% on your cat, or your neighbor's cat, you have violated federal law. You can face civil and criminal charges, especially if someone or something gets ill or dies as a result of your actions.
To safely use a pesticide, make sure you obey every instruction on the label. If the label calls for long sleeves, long pants, gloves, a hat, and a face mask, make sure that is what you wear when applying the chemical, even if it is hot outside. After you apply your chemical, immediately remove your clothes as soon as you get inside, put those clothes in the washing machine alone, and run them in the hottest water the fabric will stand. After you remove the clothes, run the washing machine again on hot water while it is empty. This keeps any of the pesticide from getting on clothes other family members use, which could make them sick. If your pets lay on the contaminated clothing, they could become ill or die, too.
One of the most important parts of the label discusses the re-entry period. This is the period that must pass before you or anyone else can go back into an area that has been treated. This ranges from a few minutes to as long as 72 hours. Make sure that children and pets stay out, too. Since pets have fur, they can get soaked in the pesticide, leave the treated area, and continue to be exposed to the pesticide. They may also contaminate areas in the house and any family members who touch them. This greatly increases the results of toxic side effects for everyone exposed.
Pesticides help us grow more food than any other country in the world. They keep diseases spread by pests, such as the bubonic plague, at bay and make our lives much more pleasant. If used properly, they pose very little risk to yourself, your families, and your pets. Always follow the label directions and obey the re-entry period, and use a little common sense, and you and your family will enjoy a pest free home and garden with your pet in safety.
Pesticide Safety
Stephanie Suesan Smith, Ph.D., Writer and Photographer
http://www.stephaniesuesansmith.com
What can I write for you?
Visit : Cosmetics Plus