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Pestipedia

What is a pesticide?

"Pesticide" can refer to any substance that is made to control or prevent any pest, including weeds, insects, rodents, fungus, and more. (Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodentcides are all pesticides.) This includes man-made, or synthetic, products as well as products derived from naturally occurring chemicals in plants or other organisms.

Uses

Insect and rodent control

Insects and rodent populations in homes, schools, and office buildings can quickly escalate to an infestation level if not effectively controlled. Controlling these pests is necessary to protect the health of people and pets and maintain sanitary and safe places to live and work. Some common pests that could cause real problems include:

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• Termites: Experts estimate termites cause up to $5 billion in structural damage each year.

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• Rats: Rats can transmit serious disease through bites, in addition to contaminating food and places where food is prepared, gnawing through electric wires, and leaving dirt and droppings that can expose people to the hantavirus and other diseases.

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• Cockroaches: Feeble biters, cockroaches nibble on fingernails and eyelids while also transmitting Salmonella and contributing to the development of allergies and asthma.

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• Asian longhorn beetles: Relatively new to North America, these beetles attack and kill a variety of hardwood trees, such as maple, ash, elm, birch and poplar. Significant tree loss can disrupt the ecosystem of forested areas.

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• Mosquitoes: West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites from infected insects. Since 2005, the CDC has reported more than 12,000 people in the country diagnosed with West Nile virus infections, resulting in nearly 500 documented deaths.

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• Ticks: Lyme disease transmitted through deer ticks is another serious insect-transmitted disease. In 2008, state health departments reported nearly 29,000 confirmed cases and more than 6,000 probable cases of Lyme disease to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The case number represented a 5 percent increase from 2007.

Weed control

A "weed" is any unwanted plant. Most often weeds are controlled due to the consequences of their presence, such as damage to sidewalks or danger of allergic reaction, or to reduce competition so desired plants can grow and thrive. Weeds commonly treated with herbicides include poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak, which cause allergic reactions in more than one-half of the U.S. population, and ragweed, which is the cause of many seasonal allergies. Common weeds that disrupt the growth and appearance of many lawns, such as dandelions and crabgrass, are also controlled with herbicides.

Safety

Regulation

Pesticides are rigorously tested by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they are approved for sale and use. Products that demonstrate no unreasonable harm to human health or the environment are registered and made available for use. The EPA studies the safety of pesticide products using a risk-benefit analysis that weighs the benefits of the product. Even after a product is approved, the EPA continues to study and review the product using the most advanced science and most recent data available.

Reading the Label

Failure to follow the label instructions for pesticide use is against the law. Just like with any chemical product or over-the-counter medication, following the label is important to ensure the product is used in a safe and effective manner.

Tips for Safe Use

1. Always read and follow the label instructions. If you don't understand any of the information, call the number on the label for more information.

2. Identify your pest problem and select the right product to control it. If you have questions, ask your local extension agent or a professional pest management or lawn care service provider.

3. Only buy as much as you need. Purchasing products on an as-needed basis will reduce the need to store pesticides and therefore reduce risk of accidental contamination or exposure.

4. Carefully follow instructions related to the application amount and re-entry time.

5. Store and/or dispose of pesticides as indicated on the label.