Check Before You Choose a Pesticide!Check Before You

Choose a Pesticide!

Making safe decisions for controlling pests

ProblemsProblems

• Improperly applied pesticides can:– Harm plants– Harm people or

animals– Waste money &

time– Pollute water

S

Check the following before applying a

pesticide

Check the following before applying a

pesticideWhat pest do you have?Where are they coming from?What are they eating or where

do you find the disease?What are the control choices?Which control method will be

the most effective while posing the lowest risks?

Read the Label!

What pest do you have? What pest do you have?

• MSUE diagnostic services• What is the pest?• Is it a problem?• Develop control program particular to

pest

Where is the pest or disease coming from? Where is the pest or disease coming from?

• Pests & diseases have different life cycles.

Control might begin in a different location from where the pest is found.

What are the pests eating or where do you find the

disease?

What are the pests eating or where do you find the

disease?

• What plants and what parts of the plants are affected?

• Many pest problems are related to improper environmental conditions.

Control options Control options

• Plant health• Environmental modification• Sanitation• Barrier• Natural Chemicals• Traps • Crop rotation• Chemical control

Minimum risk control Minimum risk control

• More specific controls are generally less toxic to people.

Read the Label!Read the Label!

• The Label is the Law• Label should be read at:

– Purchase– Storage– Before Use– Spill or accidental exposure– Disposal of container

For more information