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Tips for Using Pesticides Safely

Remember, pesticides are designed to kill or repel pests. Keep yourself, your family and your pets safe by following these tips:

Start by verifying that a pest problem exists. Identify the pest. Make sure you need to use a pesticide. Check out all the other options first.
Select a product that will work on the particular pest.
Choose products that are sold as "ready-to-use." These pesticides don't require mixing, so there's less risk of a spill and accidental exposure.

Photo of a pesticide label that indicates that it is ready to use

Before you purchase, use or dispose of a product, read the entire label. It has important information on the safe use of the product, and it's your legal obligation.
Products labeled with the signal word "CAUTION" are the safest. Look for this word on the label.

Photo of a pesticide label that says caution

Don't apply more than the maximum rate listed on the label.
Always wear all the personal protective equipment listed on the label when mixing or applying pesticides.

Photo of a man administrating pesticides while wearing gloves, eye protection and a hat

Don't smoke, eat or drink while making an application. Stop, remove your gloves, and wash your hands.
Wash carefully after using a pesticide or during an application if you need to use the bathroom.
Wash the clothes you wore while making the application separately from your other laundry.
Never spray when it's windy or raining.
Keep children, toys, pets and their food and water bowls out of the area while you spray. Don't let them into the area until the time specified on the product label has passed.
Keep pesticides safely locked up away from children. Never repackage them into other containers. Store pesticides at the right temperature. The label has that information.
Dispose of pesticides and their containers properly. Contact Nevada Department of Agriculture, 775-353-3715, for information on pesticide disposal.

Hefner, M. 2019, Tips for Using Pesticides Safely, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. IP

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Also of Interest:


*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Cabbage Caterpillars* This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing common caterpillar pests on various crops in the cabbage family. K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-109
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Earwigs* This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing earwigs in Nevada. K. Burls, W.Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-108
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Shield Bugs* This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing Shield Bugs in Nevada. K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-110
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Squash Bugs* This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing Squash Bugs in Nevada. K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H.i Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-111
*Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Mayweed chamomile* Mayweed chamomile is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Associated Programs

ladybug larva eating aphids on a pepper plant

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.