February is a month where we celebrate and acknowledge many things: Black History Month, Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day, President's Day, and others. But did you know February is also National Pesticide Safety Education Month? While pesticide safety is important year round, we at UC IPM are taking time to reinforce this topic to help those who use pesticides stay safe.
Pesticides used in gardens, landscapes, and around the home include store bought products, aerosol bug sprays, weed killers (herbicides), concentrated or ready-to-use products, and even home-made mixtures used for killing pests.
Basic Pesticide Safety
- Read the label before purchasing a pesticide to make sure you know how to use it correctly.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling pesticides.
- Store pesticides in a secure spot, away from food, children, and pets. Locked cabinets or higher shelves are recommended.
- Dispose of pesticides properly.
Check out these blog posts on what is a pesticide, what pesticide terms mean, reading pesticide labels, what to wear when using pesticides, and preventing pesticide poisoning for more information.
In the time of coronavirus, remember that disinfectants are pesticides too so be sure to use disinfectants and sanitizers safely.
For more about using pesticides in homes and landscapes, please visit our website where you can learn about different active ingredients, less toxic insecticides, and pesticides and water quality.
So even though February is the shortest month of the year, there is much to recognize and celebrate, including staying safe and healthy.