Pesticide application refers to the practical way in which pesticides, (including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, or nematode control agents) are delivered to their biological targets (e.g. pest organism, crop or other plant).

1. Practical Application of
Pesticides
LNT 136 – Mark Valen

2. Pesticides
• Pesticides are chemicals that kill, prevent, or repel
pests and reduce pest damage.
• Correct pesticide, correct application, and correct
timing are important to the success of control.

3. Deciding to Use a Pesticide
BE SURE YOU NEED IT
1. Is a pest really causing your problem?
2. Is a pesticide application warranted?
3. Is it the right time to apply a pesticide?
4. Can non‐pesticide tactics contribute to control?

4. Pesticide Label
• Follow all label directions
• Otherwise you might do more harm than good.

5. Types of Pesticides
• Categorized according to the type of organism
controlled:
• Bactericides
• Insecticides
• Fungicides
• Herbicides
• Miticides
• Molluscicides
• Rodenticides

6. Pesticide Toxicity
• All pesticides are toxic (poisonous) in some way.
• Exposure pathways:
• Skin (dermal)
• Mouth (oral)
• Lungs (respiratory)
• Eyes (ocular)

7. Pesticide Toxicity
• Signal words:
Danger and Warning pesticides typically require
license by the California Department of Pesticide
Regulation (DPR)

8. Pesticide Toxicity
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Formerly Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
• National Pesticide Information Center:
• npic.orst.edu

9. Pesticide Selectivity
• Selective: kill only target organisms and related
species
• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) – Moths and Butterflies larvae
• Broad‐spectrum (nonselective): kill many species
• Carbamate, organophosphate, pyrethrin – catepillars
plus natural enemies, and many other insects.

10. Natural Enemies
• Pesticides can severely disrupt biological control
• Predators are often more susceptible to pesticides
than pests.
• Greater movement (Increased contact)
• Need for pest as host
• Less adapted resistance

11. Plant Damage
• Phytotoxicity – chemical damage to plants.
• Common mistakes:
• Over application
• Allowing spray to drift
• Lack of precautions
• Unprescribed plants or sites treated
• Equipment contamination
• Environmental stress can increase phytotoxicity

12. Water Contamination
• Riparian habitats and groundwater can be affected
• Animal life and drinking water harmed
• Household drains
• Storm drains
• Runoff

13. Water Contamination
Steps to keep pesticides out of waterways
1. Do not apply when it is windy or if rainfall is
expected within 48 hours.
2. Do not apply to hard surfaces such as driveways,
gutters, sidewalks, or stormdrains
3. Blow or sweep granules that land on hard
surfaces back into the landscape
4. Use spot application for broad spectrum
pesticides such as pyrethroids.

14. Water Contamination
Steps to keep pesticides out of waterways
5. Check labels and follow any warnings
6. Never dispose of concentrate or left‐over solution
in gutters, storm drains, sinks or toilets.
7. Do not clean mixing and application equipment
where rinse water can contaminate waterways.
8. Never apply more than the amount or number of
applications listed on the label.

15. Water Contamination
Steps to keep pesticides out of waterways
9. Learn which pesticides are more easily carried in
surface runoff or have the greater potential to move
off‐site during irrigation or rain.
ipm.ucanr.edu/TOX/simplewatertox.html

16. Pesticide Resistance
Resistance occurs when a pest population is no
longer effectively controlled by a pesticide that
previously provided control.
• Rotate chemicals or
control measures

17. Pesticide Resistance
Steps to avoid pesticide resistance:
1. Monitor and ID which pest species are present
2. Evaluate whether pesticide application is truly
warranted
3. Minimize the amount and frequency of
applications

18. Pesticide Resistance
Steps to avoid pesticide resistance:
4. Use alternative control methods whenever
possible
5. Rotate modes of action
6. Re‐evaluate effectiveness after control

19. Modes of Action
Fungicide Resistance Action Committee
Insecticide Resistance Action Committee
Herbicide Resistance Action Committee

20. Choosing a Pesticide
• Identify your pest
• Read the label
• Host plant and application location should be listed
on the label.
• Beware of applying pesticides to edible plants.
• Choose the least toxic pesticide that will be
effective.
• Purchase only the amount necessary to be used
within a few months.

21. Storing Pesticides Safely
• Only store in the original container and with the
appropriate label.
• Never store pesticides in food or drink containers.

22. Storing Pesticides Safely
• Store in a locked and labeled cabinet out of reach
to children and pets.

23. Storing Pesticides Safely
• Do not store near food, clothing, or animal feed.
• Protect from moisture and extreme heat and cold.

24. Storing Pesticides Safely
• Place in a plastic tub to facilitate cleanup if there is
a leak.
• Be sure the storage area is well ventilated.
• Check containers periodically for leaks.
• Properly dispose of damaged, leaking, or unwanted
containers.

25. Storing Pesticides Safely

26. Storing Pesticides Safely

27. Storing Pesticides Safely

28. Storing Pesticides Safely

29. Apply Pesticides Safely
• All people who mix, apply, or otherwise handle
pesticides at work or as part of their job must be
properly trained in advance of each pesticide they
use.
• Employers must maintain written evidence of this
training.
• Applicator may be required to be DPR licensed, or
have their work supervised by a certified person.

30. Apply Pesticides Safely
• Anyone who applies pesticides as parts of a
landscape maintenance company must be DPR
certified, even if they only occasionally apply
pesticides.
• cdpr.ca.gov

31. Application and Equipment
• Minimum personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Chemical‐resistant gloves
• Eye protection (covers brows and temples)
• Long‐sleeved shirt
• Long pants
• Closed‐toe shoes

32. Application and Equipment
• Minimum personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Chemical‐resistant gloves
• Eye protection (covers brows and temples)
• Long‐sleeved shirt
• Long pants
• Closed‐toe shoes
NO

33. Application and Equipment
• Aerosol can

34. Application and Equipment
• Hose‐end sprayer

35. Application and Equipment
• Trigger pump sprayer

36. Application and Equipment
• Compressed air sprayer

37. Application and Equipment
• Backpack sprayer

38. Application and Equipment
Mixing
• Mix in a plastic tub so you can pour spilled chemical
back into the sprayer.
• Use dedicated and labeled mixing equipment and
store away from other tools and equipment.

39. Application and Equipment
Fill the sprayer with clean water and test it before
adding pesticides.
Look for leaking connections, bulging hoses, or
plugged nozzles.

40. Application and Equipment
Never use more than the label recommends.
• The pest isn’t killed any faster
• Chemical is wasted
• Pollution is likely
• May injure plants

41. Application and Equipment
Mix only as much as you need immediately.
Place a tag on the sprayer and include the product
name, signal word from the label, your name, and
telephone number.
Dispose of leftover chemical at a hazardous waste
facility.

42. Application and Equipment
Never smoke, eat, drink, or use the restroom after
applying pesticides without first washing your hands
and face.
Take a shower soon after application.
Wear coveralls or change your clothes before leaving
the pesticide area.
Wash clothing used to apply pesticides separately.