Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
wash it out into the yard and who knows where else. If the pests are on your plant, you do
not want pesticide flooding your yard.
Believe it or not, some pests have their own traps named after them. Trapping them is a
logical choice over using poison and is less messy.
Remember that anytime you use pesticides of any kind, you have to protect yourself. This
means everything from wearing long sleeves and safety goggles to protective gloves—even
when handling the containers.
Also, make sure not to try to use a chemical when there is even the slightest of wind since
it will blow fumes or pesticide everywhere around you—including on you. And check the
weather before you apply to ensure that a torrential downpour won't wash away your effort
right after you apply it.
If you come across old pesticide, never pour it down the drain or even out into the woods.
It will eventually creep its way back into your surrounding groundwater. Instead, call your
county and ask for directions on how it should be disposed of. You can also call the manu-
facturer on the label and they can advise you on how to safely dispose of it.
For those who wish to protect their plants while still keeping things healthy, there are
natural alternatives. A little research will provide you with a list of natural, organic, and
chemical-free alternatives that are proven to be effective while leaving the environment un-
scathed. Some of these might involve mixing certain commonly found household ingredi-
ents, but it's still better than putting out poison if it isn't necessary.
