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RISK/BENEFIT INFORMATION FOR PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS
NOTICE: Please ask your applicator about special preparations you may need to make (yard, house, pool, etc.) prior to application, and other precautionary measures specific the pesticide products applied.
Definition of a Pesticide
A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended to control pests. The word “pesticide” is an umbrella term for many different types of products that control
a wide range of pests. Pests commonly found include weeds, insects, diseases, mites, and rodents. Pesticides designed to control these pests are called herbicides,
insecticides, fungicides, miticides, and rodenticides. Another group of pesticides called plant growth regulators is used to manage the growth of plants in the landscape.
State and federal laws require that pesticides must be applied according to label directions. Labels direct users as to how, where, and at
what rate the material must be applied. Upon request, your applicator will supply you with a copy of the label(s) for the product(s) applied.
How Pesticides Work
Products intended for use on your property are applied as a liquid, dust, aerosol, granule, or bait and are generally active for a few minutes to a few months. Some
compounds control pests on contact by damaging the physical structure of the pest. Other compounds become active only after they are absorbed or ingested, by interfering
with physical development or the reproduction ability of the pest. The pesticide product label contains specific information on how to control targeted pests. All pesticides must
be applied in accordance with label directions.
Pesticides may be effective against a large class of organisms or they may be specific to a particular organism. This means that many times, applicators can choose an
effective pesticide or pest control strategy that will minimize potential impacts to humans, pets and other non-target organisms.
Why Pesticides are Used
Pesticides are a tool people use to protect crops, homes, animals, structures, or their landscape plants from pest damage. Examples are the protection of buildings from
termites, lawns from weed and insect damage, and indoor environments from invasions by insects and rodents. They are also used to control mosquito populations, control
disease vectors for public health concerns, protect food crops, and for weed control in lakes and ponds.
General Toxicity Information
Toxicity is a general term used to indicate the adverse effects produced by a pesticide. Understanding the potential health risks from pesticides requires knowledge of the
exposure and the toxicity of the compound.
Exposure: Pesticides can enter the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin. Exposure occurs most frequently by absorption to the skin. One of the
most effective ways to reduce risk is to reduce any potential exposure by restricting access to the treatment area.
There are two broad classifications of pesticides – general use and restricted use. These are United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designations used to
determine who may purchase and use the many kinds of pesticides available. General use pesticides are usually considered to have a lower toxicity or risk than restricted use
pesticides, and have fewer restrictions regarding who may purchase or use the products. For example, all of the pesticide products that homeowners may purchase are general
use pesticides. The majority of the products that are routinely used on your property and yard are also general use pesticides.
. Restricted use pesticides can only be purchased and used by applicators that are certified by the State of Michigan, many of who receive additional professional training.
Only in specific instances would these kinds of products be used on your property. Please refer to the section of your customer paperwork or invoice that shows which products
were used at the time of application. (If you have any questions as to the type or toxicity of the products used on your property, please contact the manufacturer indicated on the
pesticide label, or contact the applicator).
Common Sense Precautionary Measures and Site Preparation
It is important to discuss site preparation and precautionary measures with your applicator. Additionally,
• DO NOT enter the treatment area until the time period provided by/posted by the applicator has elapsed.
• The product applied may have a specific re-entry or pre-harvest interval during which you may NOT enter the area or harvest the crop.
• For indoor applications – put away all food items, children’s toys, and clothing. Cover fish tanks, remove pets, and perform any additional tasks as outlined for the specific
application by your applicator.
• For outdoor applications – put away children’s toys and any clothing that may be outside drying, remove pets, discard water for pets and water in birdbaths, close windows,
move or place your vehicles in the garage, and make certain that applicators understand what areas, such as children’s play areas and home gardens, should NOT be
treated.
• Additional precautionary measures may need to be taken to limit exposure for sensitive individuals such as: infants, small children, pregnant women, and senior citizens;
persons on prescription medications; and persons with medical conditions such as respiratory conditions or immune system concerns.
Environmental Fate of Pesticides
Exposure to light, heat and other agents in the environment cause pesticides to deteriorate. The amount of time that it takes to break down the pesticide depends on the
temperature, humidity, light, moisture conditions, and other environmental factors. As a result, degradation times are highly variable depending on the compound and the
environment in which it was applied. Generally, your applicator will select those pesticides that are the most effective and the least persistent. Any areas on your property that
may be of specific concern should be to the attention of the applicator.
If you encounter an unusual reaction following a pesticide application, immediately wash with soap and water and consult with
a physician. It is important to provide the doctor with any information you may have concerning the pesticides used. Refer to the
section of your customer paperwork or invoice that shows which products were used at the time of application.
Additional emergency information about the pesticide may be obtained by contacting the National Poison Control Center at 1-
800-222-1222, or the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378 or www.npic.orst.edu.