Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent Clemson University
February is National Pesticide Education Month and a great time to review pesticide application safety practices in your farming operation. When using pesticides, it’s essential to focus on safety to protect ourselves, others, and the environment. As farmers gear up for spring planting season, February is an appropriate time to evaluate how we handle, mix, apply, store, and dispose pesticides. National Pesticide Education Month aims to reinforce core principles of safe pesticides and raise awareness of and support the land-grant University Pesticide Education Safety Programs (PSEPs). Since 2017, numerous non-profits and governmental agencies have participated in this annual awareness campaign.
Why are pesticides essential? Pesticides impact our lives in numerous ways, including improving food and feed yields and quality, protecting public health, and controlling pests in our homes, yards, waterways, forests, farms, and beyond. Pesticides are a critical component of many Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs, and safe use is essential.
Pesticide Education Safety Programs (PESP’s) are housed at land-grant universities and:
- Deliver pesticide applicator training on the safe use of pesticides in agricultural, commercial, and residential settings
- Serve as educators for those using agricultural, specialty, and consumer pesticide products.
- Work from land-grant universities to provide non-biased science-based information.
- Deal with state-specific needs and laws
- Educate through in-person training, online training, and educational material
The following are a few safety tips to consider when applying pesticides:
- Read and follow the label – always read the pesticide product label before purchasing, using, storing, or disposing of a pesticide or its container.
- Take note of signal words– pesticide product labels contain the signal words danger, warning, and caution, indicating the product’s acute toxicity.
- Wear proper PPE– personal protective equipment (PPE) is the clothing and devices you should wear to protect yourself while working with pesticides. See the product label for information on PPE.
- Properly store pesticides – always store pesticides according to the product label & in their original containers complete with labels.
- Keep pesticides out of reach of children and pets– to prevent accidental spills and poisoning, keep pesticides away from children and pets.
- Consider IPM – Integrated Pest Management, an ecological approach to controlling pests that can help reduce pesticide use.
For more information on the safe use of pesticides and the Clemson University Pesticide Education Safety Program, contact your local Clemson Extension Office.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
