How can the hazards associated with pesticides be reduced?

The hazards associated with pesticides can be significantly reduced through a combination of practices.

Using contact pesticides, which act quickly upon application to kill pests upon contact, minimizes the duration of exposure compared to pesticides with residual activity that linger in the environment. This reduces the risk to both users and non-target organisms.

Employing ready-to-use pesticides eliminates the need to mix from concentrate, which not only lowers the risk of accidental spills and exposure during mixing but also ensures proper dilution and application. This is essential for safe handling practices.

Ensuring that pesticides are inaccessible in an unattended vehicle minimizes the risk of accidental exposure to children, pets, or unauthorized individuals who may inadvertently come in contact with them.

By implementing all these practices, the overall safety during pesticide handling and application increases, leading to a substantial reduction in associated hazards.