Tips on Using Pesticides Safely

It looks like using pesticides are the best way to kill the pests or insects on plants. But do you know what the impact of using pesticides on the environment is? Yes pesticides can poison the environment and even can harm people’s health. That’s why we should using pesticides safely, in proper manner to minimize the impact. 

  

Tips on Using Pesticides Safely

Every gardener is responsible to using pesticides safely, no matter whether you use a chemical pesticides or an organic homemade pesticides. Both of them can kill the pests or insects including beneficial insects on plants and even harmful into your health. So below are the tips on using pesticides safely:

1. Follow the Manufacturer’s Instruction
In order using pesticides safely, you have to read and follow the instruction label including how to mix and how to use. The proper pesticide dose / rate and timing will determine effectiveness of pesticide. Many insects or bugs have several instars and have metamorphosis cycle. You need to know the correct stage of insect which is more susceptible to the pesticides. Most gardener believe that larva or nymph is more susceptible to the pesticide but you need to read the product literature first before you decide the best time to use pesticide.

2. Tips on Using Pesticides Safely Related to Weather
Weather is other important factor on using pesticides safely. Below are some tips on using pesticides safely related to weather condition :

• Do not use or spray the pesticide in rain or even just before a rain. Rain water can washes pesticide on plants and carry the pesticide into the ground and waterways. The pesticides can contaminate the entire habitats and our environment. At the end they can poisoning the animals, fish and / or maybe you.
• The best time to use pesticides is on a cloudy day, moderate temperature, the soil is moderately dry and no rain is expected.
• Do not use pesticide when there is wind. This way will prevent pesticides drifting to non-targeted areas.

3. Using Pesticides As The Last Option
Using pesticides on plants should be restricted since the pesticides are dangerous and persistent. You may try manual removal or use the beneficial insect as predator. If you cannot handle the pests attack for example the pests have eaten almost half the leaves of a plant then you may use pesticides as the last option. To minimize the impact, you can use organic homemade pesticides on your plants.

So there are some tips on using pesticides safely on your plants as describe above. Love yourself and environment.

Reference: gardeningknowhow.com; photo credit: garden.lovetoknow.com