What you need to know about...
When you discover a pest problem in or around your home, the first step is to identify the pest, whether it is a weed, plant disease, insect, rodent, or other nuisance.
All pesticide users have the responsibility to properly dispose of pesticide wastes, such as unused chemicals and pesticide containers. Improperly disposed pesticide wastes can create serious hazards for humans, animals, and the environment.
Protective clothing used when mixing, loading, or applying pesticides provides a barrier between the pesticide and the human body. Even though it can be uncomfortable to wear, appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment should always be worn by anyone working with pesticides.
Where do you store your pesticides? A nationwide study by the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that almost one-half of surveyed households with children under the age of 5 had at least one pesticide stored within their reach.
For many toxic chemicals, the respiratory (breathing) system is the quickest and most direct route of entry into the circulatory system. From the blood capillaries of the lungs, these toxic substances are rapidly transported throughout the body.
Pesticide products should always be kept in a secured storage area that is accessible only to those who are trained to use these products, such as licensed applicators, dealers, and distributors.
