A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended to control pests. The word “pesticide” is an umbrella term for many different types of products that control a wide range of pests. Pests commonly found include weeds, insects, diseases, mites, and rodents. Pesticides designed to control these pests are called herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, miticides, and rodenticides. Another group of pesticides called plant growth regulators is used to manage the growth of plants in the landscape. State and federal laws require that pesticides must be applied according to label directions.
Labels direct users as to how, where, and at what rate the material must be applied. Upon request, your applicator will supply you with a copy of the label(s) for the product(s) applied.
Pesticides are a tool people use to protect crops, homes, animals, structures, or their landscape plants from pest damage. Examples are the protection of buildings from termites, lawns from weed and insect damage, and indoor environments from invasions by insects and rodents. They are also used to control mosquito populations, control disease vectors for public health concerns, protect food crops, and for weed control in lakes and ponds.
Toxicity is a general term used to indicate the adverse effects produced by a pesticide. Understanding the potential health risks from pesticides requires knowledge of the exposure and the toxicity of the compound.
Pesticides can enter the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin. Exposure occurs most frequently by absorption to the skin. One of the most effective ways to reduce risk is to reduce any potential exposure by restricting access to the treatment area.
These are United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designations used to determine who may purchase and use the many kinds of pesticides available. General use pesticides are usually considered to have a lower toxicity or risk than restricted use pesticides, and have fewer restrictions regarding who may purchase or use the products. For example, all of the pesticide products that homeowners may purchase are general use pesticides. The majority of the products that are routinely used on your property and yard are also general use pesticides.
Restricted use pesticides can only be purchased and used by applicators that are certified by the State of Michigan, many of who receive additional professional training. Only in specific instances would these kinds of products be used on your property. Please refer to the section of your customer paperwork or invoice that shows which products were used at the time of application. (If you have any questions as to the type or toxicity of the products used on your property, please contact the manufacturer indicated on the pesticide label, or contact the applicator).
It is important to discuss site preparation and precautionary measures with your applicator. Additionally,
Exposure to light, heat and other agents in the environment cause pesticides to deteriorate. The amount of time that it takes to break down the pesticide depends on the temperature, humidity, light, moisture conditions, and other environmental factors. As a result, degradation times are highly variable depending on the compound and the environment in which it was applied. Generally, your applicator will select those pesticides that are the most effective and the least persistent. Any areas on your property that may be of specific concern should be to the attention of the applicator.