Vegetable Gardening - Handbook for Beginners
Appendix 3.
Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides) are designed to be toxic to the pests they target. When used properly, pesticides can protect your plants or home from damage. However, when the label instructions aren’t followed correctly, plant injury can occur, pests might not be controlled, human health might be impaired, and pesticides can contribute to soil, air, or water pollution. Fertilizer products can also have negative environmental impacts when they get into waterways. Use pesticides only when nonchemical methods are ineffective, and pests are reaching intolerable levels. Choose the least toxic, most effective product.1
If you must use garden chemicals:
- Identify your pest problem and choose the least toxic pesticide that controls your pest. Examples include bait stations, insecticidal soaps and oils, and microbial insecticides.
- Contact your UC Master Gardener or Cooperative Extension office for help identifying your pest or a pest control method.
- When possible, buy ready-to-use products rather than concentrates.
- Don’t water after applying garden chemicals unless the labels tell you to do so. Never let pesticide or fertilizer runoff flow into storm drains.
- Avoid applying chemicals outdoors when rain is forecast or when it is windy.
- Don’t apply pesticides or fertilizers on paved surfaces.
When using and storing garden chemicals:
- Always wear shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, pants, eye protection, and other equipment required on the product label.
- Properly measure concentrated formulations of pesticides. Keep all measuring tools for the garden separate from those used for food.
- Never apply more product than the amount listed on the label.
- Always keep chemicals in their original container and store them tightly capped in a locked cabinet out of the reach of children and pets.
- For help in an emergency, call your regional Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Visit http:// www.calpoison.org for more information.
Disposing of pesticides and fertilizers:
- Sewage treatment plants aren’t designed to treat for toxic chemicals. Pouring garden chemicals into a storm drain, down the sink, or in the toilet is never an option, and it is against the law!
- The only allowable way to dispose of pesticides is to use them up according to label directions or to take them to a household hazardous waste site.
References
1. Adapted from Garden Chemicals: Safe Use and Disposal, UCANR Integrated Pest Mgmt. Janu ary 2003.
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