February is Pesticide Safety Education Month, and it’s the perfect time to brush up on how to use household pesticides safely. The first step? Always read the label. It’s packed with important info on how to use the product correctly and safely.

Established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this month emphasizes the importance of reading and following pesticide labels, as well as proper storage and safe handling practices. It also highlights the efforts of land-grant university Pesticide Safety Education Programs in training pesticide applicators, handlers, farmworkers and everyday consumers.

Brett Bultemeier, the head of the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office, shares his advice on how best to stay safe when using, applying and disposing of pesticides at home.

Q: What should consumers know about the importance of being safe with household pesticides?

A: It is really all going to start with reading and understanding the label. This is the set of instructions that is attached directly to the product. These instructions aren’t just guidance; they are the law. Is there any equipment I need to wear? Are there places I can’t use this or things I need to be aware of? Will this harm my prize roses?

The label’s going to tell you what you can use it on and what it will control. So it’s not just safety. It gives you information that you would need to use it to the best effect.

The label is also going to tell you what’s in the product. Don’t just look at the brand name – really pay attention to the ingredients. At big box stores, you can buy “ready to use” products, which spray right from the bottle.

Q: Who is most at risk of being harmed by the improper use of pesticides?

A: The primary person that is assuming risk is the user of the pesticide, so the person doing the spraying is at highest risk. However, the person spraying also assumes responsibility for other people and the environment as well.

But there are certain groups we need to be extra careful to protect. Pregnant mothers have an extra level of risk, as do infants or children. We also want to be careful to protect pets, as well as the environment.

When you follow the instructions on the label correctly, the EPA has determined that the pesticide will not harm people, non-target species or the environment. Ultimately, it is up to the user to follow all instructions on the label.

Q: How can consumers know that a pesticide is safe to use?

A: Only products that are registered with the EPA can be listed as minimum-risk pesticide. You will know because there’s a number on the front of the label, that’s the EPA registration number.

You might find some products branded as “natural” pesticides, which may be exempt from EPA registration, depending on their contents. With those, follow the instructions if available, but the EPA does not assure any efficacy or safety since they are exempt from their requirements.

Q: What should people do to protect their health and the environment when applying pesticides?

A: Reading and following the label is the No. 1 way to protect yourself and the environment. Then the No. 2 rule is to be aware and pay attention to where you’re spraying. Treat it with the deliberateness it deserves.

Those are the two things I tell everyone – even our professional applicators – follow the label and be aware.

A good course of action is after you have sprayed a pesticide, make sure it is fully dried before allowing kids or pets into the area, but always check the label for any additional instructions about staying out of the sprayed area.

Q: What are your tips for safely storing pesticides?

A: The label will give you instructions for the specific pesticide. Some may say don’t let it get too hot. Some will say don’t let it get too cold. Each one might be a little different, so read the label.

Every last one of them will say to keep out of reach of children and to keep away from food and water. A locked garage or a secured, separate shed makes a lot of sense for storing pesticides because that’s going to be away from food, water and children.

Q: How should you dispose of pesticides in a safe and responsible manner?

A: The label will tell you how to dispose of that product. In many cases, what the label will tell you to do is to triple-rinse the jug. If the pesticide is for use in the garden, dispose of the rinse in the garden. Once cleaned according to the label, dispose of as directed.

In the state of Florida, a service called Operation Clean Sweep, a program of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, can assist when people find themselves stuck with unwanted products. They collect products and will properly dispose of them. This is especially useful for pesticides where the label is gone or faded away.

Q: What else should consumers know about pesticide safety during Pesticide Safety Education Month?

A: When questions arise, reach out to your local county Extension office through UF/IFAS because they can then tie you into a whole group of experts related to safety. There’s just a wealth of information within your county Extension network. The Pesticide Information Office is also here to help.

For more information, please read up on UF/IFAS blogs on pesticide safety, the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators and the National Pesticide Information Center.

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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

by Meredith Bauer
Posted: February 25, 2025