How to Time and Apply Pesticides

Pesticides kill pests--the small, often invisible critters that munch their way through your landscaping. Left untreated, they can damage or even kill plants. It’s important to apply pesticides accurately, safely, and in a timely manner for several key reasons. Too much or too frequent an application can damage your plants and lawn, as well as being an environmental risk. It also wastes the product, which can often be expensive. Improper usage can expose you, your children and your pets to the pesticide, which can be a health risk.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Apply Pesticides Correctly For Best Results

1. Choose a quality pesticide sprayer with an adjustable nozzle. Pump sprayers usually come in one- and two-gallon sizes and are available at most nurseries, hardware and home supply stores. Select the one you can most easily lift when full.

2. Determine the size of your treatment area. This will determine how much pesticide you will need to prepare. Note that depending on your sprayer size, you may have to mix more than one batch to cover an area.

3. Read the label carefully, including emergency instructions. Not only do you want to know how much to prepare, you but what to do if the spray comes in contact with your eyes or skin. This will also instruct you on how frequently to apply the pesticide. Doing so too often can damage a plant. Applying them not frequently enough may fail to exterminate the pests completely, because you may not kill them all off with a single spraying, depending where they are in their life cycle.

4. Dress correctly. You don’t want pesticide coming in contact with your skin. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Wear shoes, not sandals. Consider wearing glasses or goggles. Be properly dressed before mixing the spray to protect yourself.

5. Mix the pesticide according to directions and spray as directed on plants and lawn. It is best to spray late in the day or early evening so that the spray does not magnify sunlight and burn the leaves. Don’t spray on days when your sprinklers will be going–most pesticides need 24 hours to “set.” Don't spay more frequently than the instructions indicate.

6. Clean equipment immediately after use, both inside and out. Thoroughly rinse the container, sprayer hose and nozzle. Dump the rinse water in the same place you have just treated your plants or lawn. Do not dump it down the sewer drain.

7. Clean up yourself. Always wash your hands with soap and water after spraying. Change your clothes, and take a shower to eliminate all traces of the pesticide. Wash your clothes separately from your other laundry, because no matter what you do, there will be some spray residue on them.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare pesticide mixtures outdoors to avoid fumes.
• Treat only what needs to be treated--do not spray where the pesticide is not needed.
• Stay off or away from grass and plants until the application dries to avoid getting it on your feet, hands and skin. Make sure the kids and pets stay off as well.
• Don’t apply pesticide in windy conditions. Do it on a calm day to prevent spray from accidentally blowing back on your face, skin or pets and children.
• Don’t mix or combine different pesticides in one container, to avoid the risk of dangerous chemical reactions.
• Never spray a pesticide on fruit trees or vegetables unless it is specifically created for that purpose. Most fruit trees are only sprayed while dormant. Adhere strictly to the directions.
• Know where to find emergency response numbers in case of an accident.

Resources

• Pesticide Use Safety
• Selecting a Pesticide Sprayer