Choosing Pesticides Wisely

Table of Contents

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.

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Do you really need a pesticide?

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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Which pesticide will meet your need?

If you determine a pesticide is needed, read the pesticide labels carefully. You must choose a product that is specifically labeled 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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Which pesticide is best for your situation?

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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Good cultural practices will help reduce the need for pesticides.

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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Publication #: 426-706

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