Pesticides; your best practice guide
Give yourself a pat on the back for searching out the best practice for using them. But before you set off into the garden with spray in hand, think about whether chemical products are actually needed. Complete your own personal risk assessment: have you got young children? Pets? A safe place to store the pesticide? If you’ve considered alternatives and still want to use a pesticide, follow this best practice guide.
Buy the right pesticide
There are different types of pesticides for different needs, so always spend some time reading product labels and working out if it’s suitable for you. Ask for advice before you buy if you’re unsure.
*Top Tip* Don’t buy pesticides on the internet unless you’re certain they’re approved for use in the UK. HSE has a database you can use to check where the pesticide can legally be used.
2. Never buy bulk
It’s really important to only buy the amount of pesticide you need at the time. Surplus pesticide, if unused, can become unsafe or may even become illegal to use depending on changing regulations. As well as wasting money on product you don’t need, you’ll also be left with the task of safely disposing of excess pesticide which will be a nuisance if you’ve bought in bulk.
3. Always read the label
It sounds so simple. But not reading the label before using a pesticide could mean you use it incorrectly, risking your own safety. Just like there’s different pesticides for different needs, there’s also differing instructions for each individual product, which is why you always need to read the label. Even if you’ve been using the same product for years, read the label every time you buy it as ingredients can change.
4. Protect yourself
Minimise your risk by using personal protective equipment (PPE), to protect yourself from any pesticide spray or droplets getting onto your skin.
5. Clear the space
If you’ve decided to use pesticides read and follow the instructions really closely. Safe application, followed by storing and disposing of pesticides correctly helps us to protect our families, wildlife and the environment.
6. Check the weather
If it’s due to rain or is a windy day, it’s not the right conditions for using a pesticide. If you use a pesticide in the wrong conditions the process probably won’t be effective and will need repeating. This increases the risk to yourself and the environment, while also wastes your time and money.
7. Use targeted application
To avoid pesticides spraying onto areas you don’t want to treat, follow the targeted application approach. This means applying pesticides only to the specific plant or area you want to treat. For instance, if you have one or two dandelions on your lawn, there’s no need to cover the whole lawn with pesticide. Just target the problem area, which might be the root or the leaves depending on what problem you’re addressing. It’s also advisable to leave any areas close to drains completely untreated, what we’d call a ‘buffer zone’, so there’s no risk of pesticides entering our watercourses.
8. Store them safely
Storing a pesticide the correct way is just as important as safe application. If you don’t, the solution could spill or get into the hands (or paws) of children or pets. Make sure the bottle top is secured tightly and the pesticide is kept where there is an even room temperature. Always check the label for guidance. For more information on storing pesticides, read our blog here.
9. Wash your hands
Give your hands a thorough clean after handling pesticides, even if you’ve worn gloves. Chemicals can be very harsh on the skin so it’s always better to be safe, not sorry.
10. Get rid of pesticides in the correct way
The most important thing to remember when you get to this stage is never pour pesticides down the drain, sink, toilet or into ditches in the ground. They could find their way into our water courses and harm the environment and wildlife. So, what should you do? You guessed it, read the label! Follow our guide for the dos and don’ts when throwing away pesticide bottles. For more information on disposal, read our blog here.
