Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

It’s that time of year, the pest control calls are beginning to roll in! Homeowners want to know when to treat for crabgrass, what to use for spider mites; how about spotted winged drosophila and creeping Charlie…the list goes on and on. But before we get carried away on the tide of pesticides used in our lawn and garden, let’s go back to the basics. What is a pest?

For our purposes, a pest is any unwanted organism that causes problems in the home and garden. An organism isn’t inherently a “pest,” and only falls into that category under certain conditions. Some pests compete for our food; some can destroy buildings, limit recreational use of an area or decrease aesthetic appeal. Others can transmit disease or be a nuisance. Pesticides are the tools we sometimes use to manage or eradicate the pests that we find in our living spaces.

Pesticides fall into a wide range of categories: disinfectants kill bacteria; fungicides kill fungi and mildew; herbicides kill unwanted plants; insecticides kill/repel insects, ticks and mites; rodenticides kill rats and mice; wood preservatives protect wood from insects and fungi; and vertebrate repellents keep deer, raccoons, rabbits…away from your garden.  With all of these categories, and all of these choices, how do we know which to use, when and how? The label is the key to understanding all of this.

I know, pesticide labels are long and complicated, but they are your best guide to using pesticides safely and effectively. They are written to help you achieve your desired outcome with minimum risk. Remember that use of any pesticide in a way that does not comply with label directions and precautions is illegal. Using a pesticide inappropriately may also be ineffective on the pests you wish to control and could pose risks to the users or the environment. So, let’s review what’s on the label, and how to decipher all those instructions.

When using pesticides, it’s crucial to read and understand the label. Here are some essential tips to help you:

1. Active Ingredients: These are the chemicals in the pesticide that kill pests. Make sure you know what they are and how they work.

2. Signal Words:  Signal words like “Danger,” “Warning” or “Caution” indicate the level of toxicity.  “Danger” means highly toxic, “Warning” signifies moderately toxic, and “Caution” indicates low toxicity.

3. Precautionary Statements: These provide information on how to use the pesticide safely. Follow these instructions carefully to protect yourself and the environment.

4. Directions for Use: This section explains how to apply the pesticide correctly, including dosage, timing and application methods.

5. Storage and Disposal: Properly store and dispose of pesticides to prevent accidents and environmental harm.

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear the recommended PPE to shield yourself from exposure.

7. Environmental Hazards: Understand how the pesticide may affect non-target organisms and the environment.

8. First Aid Instructions: Be prepared to take appropriate action in case of exposure or accidents.

Other parts of the label provide additional valuable information about use of the product. Be sure to read the entire label before each use of the pesticide. Remember, reading and following the pesticide label can prevent harm to yourself, others and the environment. For additional information on understanding a pesticide label https://extension.psu.edu/what-you-need-to-know-about-reading-a-pesticide-label

Until next time, happy gardening.