Pesticide Safety

Recently, Penn State Extension’s Department of Pesticide Education released some startling numbers on exposure to common kinds of pesticides. “In 2013, the Pennsylvania Poison Center received 1,125 cases of pyrethrin or pyrethroids insecticide exposures. Just over 15 percent (176 cases) of those reports resulted in the exposed person being treated in a health care facility. Furthermore, just under 22 percent (244 cases) were exposures to children under six years old.”

Pyrethrins are very easy to find and work quickly. These chemicals can come in concentrates, powders, sprays, and foggers. Generally, they are the go-to out of ease. What makes them more of a hazard is they can be marketed for indoor and outdoor pests. As a result, they are stored in close proximity to living areas, where children can find them. These are often labeled as foggers, home defense products, hot shots and so on. Many different products can contain the same active ingredients.  Remember, they are all poisons and can have severe health effects.

Here are some helpful tips to reduce the danger of pesticide exposure:
•Know what you are trying to eliminate:
If you have an indoor insect problem, then just the presence of a pest isn’t enough. Often times, holes in screens, cracks, and crevices will continue to invite bugs into your house, even after spraying. Ants can often be managed by keeping kitchen areas clean and food covered. Ant traps are much safer than a spray. Thoroughly inspecting shipping boxes for insects will help too. Remember to keep dry pet food tightly covered. Bedbugs, roaches, and termites should be handled by a professional.

If outdoor pests are a concern, first, you must identify the bug. Only about three per cent of insects are true pests. And there are lots of beneficial insects. Beetles, many times are confused with cockroaches, but are important elements in breaking down spent plant material. Larval forms of lady bugs do not look like the adult stage and you can unknowingly kill a good bug. Gnats and mayflies do not live long and don’t merit any kind of action on your part. Shooting a stream of water from your hose onto a plant is a great way to rid the plant of aphids. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are better alternatives to hazardous chemicals.

•Read the label:
Once you know you need a chemical, please read the directions and cautionary statements. Make sure the insect is listed. Wear protective clothing, a hat, gloves, long sleeves, and pants, no shorts.  Never use them on a windy day. And, it is illegal to use product in way not listed on the label.

•Be safe:
Buy only what you will use in a short time. Keep chemicals out of reach from children, in a locked storage unit away from the living spaces.

The Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County can help you with home insect control. We will be at the LHVA Heritage Explorer Bike Tour and Festival, Saturday June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be held at Blakely Borough Park in Peckville, Pa. The Master Gardeners will have plenty of Mr. Yuk stickers to place on any household chemicals, educational activities on pesticide safety, and other gardening information. This is free and open to the public. Come visit us.

For more information, please contact us at 570-963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu

Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator