What Are Pesticides

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What Are Pesticides?

• Elite Pest Management Inc.
• IPM in Schools Program
• Contact Kenneth Matheny,
• 877-4BADBUG Toll Free

2
Definition of a Pesticide

• Any chemical used to repel or kill a pest organism

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Examples of Pesticides

• Algacides/slimicides
• Herbicides
• Fungicides
• Insecticide
• Rodenticides
• Miticides

• Acaricide
• Avicides
• Molluscicides
• Nematicides
• Sanitizers/
• disinfectants

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Information in a Pesticide Label

• Pesticide name
• Brand, trade or product, common, chemical
• Type of pesticide
• Fungicide, herbicide, insecticide
• Formulation
• Granular, liquid
• Classification Restricted use
• Could cause harm to humans, including pesticide
  handlers, or to environment. In Minnesota, must
  be certified applicator to apply RUP
• Ingredients Statement
• Active ingredient chemical in product that
  kills or controls target pest

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Directions for Use

• Crops, livestock or sites to be treated
• Pests to be controlled
• Methods of application
• Amount, how to mix and apply
• Other including geography, time, wildlife,
  incompatibilities

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Warnings and Precautions

• Signal Words
• Protective clothing and equipment
• Safe handling
• First aid instructions
• Storage and disposal
• Environmental hazards
• Re-entry intervals
• Storage and disposal

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Important Numbers

• EPA Registration Number
• Label approved by federal government
• Establishment Number
• specific manufacturing plant where pesticide
  produced

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Label is

• Target pests, crops, site
• Protective clothing or equipment to be used
• Application rates and methods
• Re-entry intervals
• Etc

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MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet

• Chemical Identification
• Ingredient Information
• Physical data
• Hazards identification
• First Aid measures
• Reactivity Data
• Fire and Explosion Data
• Accidental Release Measures
• Protective Equipment
• Toxicology information
• Ecological Information
• Disposal considerations
• Transport information
• Regulatory information
• Special Precautions

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Signal Words for Toxicity Categories

• IV-Caution- Relatively nontoxic- Mild
  Irritation
• III-Caution- Slightly Toxic- Moderate
  Irritation
• II-Warning- Moderately Toxic- Irritation
• I-Danger or Danger /Poison
• -(skull and crossbones symbol) - Highly
  Toxic
• -Very poisonous and irritating

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Precautionary Statements Signal Words

• Danger (or Poison)
• Warning
• Caution

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Caution

• Notice the word CAUTION is used for both category
  III and IV.
• Since category III chemicals are included in
  this law and category IV are not, it is essential
  that you know which is which.
• The Michigan Department of Agriculture web site
  is your best source of information on the
  categories.
• mda-info_at_michigan.gov

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Pesticide Toxicity Routes of Exposure

• Eye
• Dermal skin
• Oral - by mouth, ingestion
• Inhalation - breathe in

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PPE Personal Protective Equipment

• Follow label instructions

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To Reduce Exposure, Do Not

• Have contact with pesticides in closed or poorly
  ventilated areas or breathe vapors, dust or mist
  without PPE Be especially aware of fumigant
  vapors
• Inhale vapors from drift or reenter area too soon
• Splash or spray pesticides in eyes or mouth
• Rub eyes or forehead with contaminated gloves or
  hands
• Mistake pesticide for food or drink
• Apply pesticides in windy weather
• Touch pesticide treated surfaces

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To Reduce Exposure, Do

• Use PPE as indicated on label when preparing or
  applying pesticides
• Wash contaminated clothing--check pesticide
  label directions
• Avoid accidentally applying pesticides to food
• Wash hands after handling pesticides or containers

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To Reduce Pesticide Exposure to Others, when
possible

• Consider alternatives to pesticides
• Use baits, traps and pest strips
• Spot treat or use crack and crevice treatments
• Make applications at times when staff and
  students are less likely to contact pesticides
• Promote good sanitation and hand washing

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HEALTH RISK EXPOSURE X TOXICITY

• Reduce risk by reducing either or both of
  those factors
• Exposure -- find non chemical pest controls,
  improve pesticide handling procedures and safety
  practices
• Toxicity select products with lower toxicity

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Measuring Toxicity

• Toxicity rating LD50 (inhalation LC50)
• Lethal dose that killed 50 percent of test
  population (animals exposed to pesticide)
• LD50 expressed in milligrams product per kilogram
  weight of animal
• Lower number, the higher the toxicity

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Chemical Last resort Use effective, but least
toxic, product
Physical Mouse traps Glue boards
Sanitation Eliminate clutter Rinse
recyclables Keep food containers tightly
sealed Clean under appliances
Structural Screens Repair leaky
faucets Weatherstrip doors and windows Caulk
cracks and crevices
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IPM Landscape Tactics
Chemical Last resort to manage weeds, insects or
diseases
Biological Natural enemies Beneficial insects
or bacteria
Physical Mowing, hand weeding or hoeing Plant
selection Barriers, landscape fabrics, mowing
strips
Cultural Mowing height, Watering
practices Fertilizer program, Pruning
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