Diane Relf
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Do you really need a pesticide?
Which pesticide will meet your need?
Which pesticide is best for your situation?
Good cultural practices will help reduce the need
for pesticides.
Healthy
plants are less susceptible to attack by pests, and good cultural
practices can reduce pest outbreaks.
Before
you purchase any pesticide, you should answer some important
questions...
- Is
the damage actually being caused by a pest? Could it be
the weather or a cultural practice, such as over- or underwatering,
fertilizer, or herbicide damage, etc.)?
- If
it is a pest, what kind is it? Insect? Disease? Animal?
Rodent?
- Are
there non-chemical ways to control it? Is the damage severe
enough to warrant chemical control?
- Is
pesticide use cost-effective? Or would the chemical treatment
cost more than the plant is worth?
- Can
the pest be controlled by a chemical at this stage of its
life cycle, or would application at a different time be
more effective?
Remember,
just because you see insects does not mean that insects are
a problem. Proper identification of the problem is essential
before you select any type of control. There are many excellent
resources available to help you identify pests or pest caused
problems, including trained professionals at nurseries and garden
centers, your local Extension office, and reference books dealing
with plant pests and diseases.
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If
you determine a pesticide is needed, read the pesticide labels
carefully. You must choose a product that is specifically labelled
for use on the plants you wish to protect and effective against
the pest you want to control. Never use a pesticide on a food-bearing
plant unless the label directs such use. The general term pesticide
includes insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides,
etc. You must determine which product is appropriate to combat
your problem. For example, an insecticide is effective only
against insect pests, and some insecticides target only a certain
type of insect. An insecticide alone will not solve a weed or
disease problem, but some pesticide products contain two or
more active ingredients; for instance, a formulation for rose
care can contain an insecticide and a fungicide.
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Avoid
problems by taking the time to carefully study your pesticide
needs. Your local Extension agent or a certified nursery employee
can help with pesticide recommendations, as well as help you
tailor the application to the site intended. Personal and environmental
safety are prime concerns.
Consider
the site. Read the label of each product under consideration
to be sure that it can be used in the place and the manner
you intend. For example, if the label indicates that the material
is toxic to fish, do not use it on plants along the border
of a pond. If the label requires that you wait two weeks from
the time that you spray until you harvest, it should not be
used on vegetables or fruits that are almost ripe. Consider
all uses of the site to which the pesticide will be applied
and protect children, pets, and wildlife by careful pesticide
selection and use.
What
application equipment and personal protective equipment does
the label require? Do you have the gear? If not, are you
willing to purchase, use, and maintain it? Do you want a pesticide
that must be mixed and loaded into a sprayer, or will a pre-mixed,
"ready-to-use" product in a spray bottle be more appropriate
to your needs?
Minimize
waste. You should purchase only the amount of pesticide
you anticipate using in one season. Most pesticides have a
limited shelf life. If pesticides are stored, they must be
protected from extreme heat and cold, and must be kept in
a secure, locked place. Read the storage section of the product
label prior to purchase, and do not buy a product that you
can't store as directed. Also, remember that pesticides must
be kept in their original container with the label intact.
Choose
the least toxic product. Compare pesticides based on how
hazardous they are. The signal word on the label indicates
a product's toxicity. For example, products marked CAUTION
are less toxic than those marked WARNING, and should be considered
first.
Environmental
hazards are reported on the label. Be especially cautious
with pesticides containing warnings regarding impact on water.
Carefully
read the disposal directions. Be sure you can properly
dispose of any unused or unwanted pesticide and the pesticide's
container according to the manufacturer's recommended method.
IMPORTANT!
If
you must use a pesticide, read the label carefully to
be sure that it is intended for use on the type of plant
you wish to protect, to control the type of pest you've
identified. Pesticide users are legally bound to follow
label directions. You should read a pesticide label
thoroughly before purchase, before each use, and prior
to storage or disposal.
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To
keep your plants healthy use the following guidelines:
- Select
plants adapted or native to your area.
- Control
weeds - use mulches and hand-pulling where possible.
- Water
adequately - overwatering and underwatering can be equally
damaging.
- Do
not crowd plants - planting too close weakens plants and
increases disease.
- Fertilize
properly - inadequate fertilization causes weak plants susceptible
to insects and disease; too much fertilizer can damage plants
and pollute ground water.
- Add
organic matter such as compost to the soil - rich soil leads
to healthier plants.
- Control
pests before they become established - hand-remove insects
or diseased leaves as soon as you see them.
Pesticides
can be valuable gardening tools, but they must be selected
with personal and environmental safety in mind. As with
other tools, it is important to use the right pesticide
for the job. Care and planning before pesticides are purchased
can ensure safe and proper use. |
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Diane
Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture, Virginia
Tech
For more information on selection, planting, cultural practices,
and environmental quality, contact your local Virginia Cooperative
Extension office.
The
development of this series was funded by ES-USDA Smith lever
3(d), National Water Quality Initiative Funds and the Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Soil
and Water Conservation.
If
you want to learn more about horticulture through training
and volunteer work, ask your Extension agent about becoming
an Extension Master Gardener. For monthly gardening information,
subscribe to The Virginia Gardener Newsletter by sending your
name and address and a check for $5.00 made out the "Treasurer,
Virignia Tech" to The Virginia Gardener, Department of Horticulture,
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0349.
Publication
Number
426-706
,
Posted July 1997
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