Resources and Best Practices
All pesticide applicators, regardless of type, should follow a basic set of management practices and be in compliance with the law. On this page, find information for pesticide applicators on resources and best practices, including pesticide law in the state, EPA worker protection standards, storage, security, and safe disposal of pesticides. You’ll also find tips on spill kits, transporting pesticides, and calibrating sprayers.
Pesticide Law and Regulations: EPA and FIFRA
There are many state and federal laws and regulations that pertain to the application of pesticides. One of the main statutes that governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides across the whole of the United States is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Laws and regulations are also in place to cover any workers such as those employed on farms, forests, nurseries, and enclosed-space productions. The EPA Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides requires that employers and workers take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide-related illness and injury. A WPS checklist is available to pesticide applicators.
While you must strictly adhere to pesticide laws and regulations, there are occasions when a state or federal agency can request emergency exemptions. For example, an exception could be made if a severe pest problem is jeopardizing public health or agricultural goods production.
Safe Use of Pesticides
Pesticides are toxic to both pests and humans. There are less harmful pesticides, many people consider glyphosate to be one of them, but most pesticides will cause adverse effects if intentionally or accidentally ingested or if they are in contact with the skin for a long time.
You may inhale pesticide particles with the air while they are being sprayed. There is also an additional risk of contaminating drinking water, soil, or food.
However, if you take suitable precautions, they need not be hazardous to humans and non-target animal species. Responding immediately and appropriately will minimize the effects of pesticide exposure.
The Pesticide Hypersensitivity Registry ensures that individuals hypersensitive to pesticides are notified if a pesticide application business is planning to make an application to a structure or outdoor above-ground pesticide application within 500 feet of any listed location.
You must wear protective clothing when you apply pesticides, and cover your mouth and nose with a simple device. If you have to wear a respirator, a free respirator fit test is available from Penn State Extension. Extensive training resources are also available in accordance with the EPA New Worker Protection Standard Training Materials. Rules and regulations are also in place with regard to safe pesticide storage.
Pesticide Application Best Practices
A pesticide is only effective when delivered safely and precisely. When you use an approved pesticide, the aim is to apply the correct dose to a defined target with the minimum wastage due to drift using the most appropriate spraying equipment. pH and water modifications can also affect pesticide performance.
Poor spraying may not be apparent for some time, so it’s essential that licensed pesticide applicators are fully aware of their responsibilities and obligations and properly trained in pesticide use and application.
Following pesticide labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) is critical and further information is available online from the National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (NPIRS) website. Pesticide labels contain vital information with regard to storage, correct usage, and specific disposal.
You should store pesticides safely in a secure area that is only accessible to those trained in the product’s application. When you store pesticides securely, it helps prevent spills or leaks into the groundwater, and flammable liquids from catching fire.
Safety is also important when you transport pesticides. There is the potential to cause harm to humans and animals, pollute the environment, incur financial losses, and be subject to legal actions if you do not follow best transportation practices.
In the event of a spill, whether it’s during transportation or on-site, being adequately prepared to handle a pesticide spill or accidental release of a hazardous chemical can avert a contamination crisis.
There are lots of challenges a pesticide applicator has to face, but many of them can be made much easier with the help of a smartphone and tablet application.
Pesticide applicators always have to be aware of drift-related damage. When it occurs, it can be very costly, especially if the crops damaged are commercial grapevines. Pesticides can also affect pollinators such as honey bees, but it is possible to reduce the damage caused to pollinator health by following best practices.
Accurate record-keeping plays a vital role in best pesticide application practices. It’s also a requirement if you want to be in compliance with the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973. An essential aspect of applying pesticides you must record is calibration information.
You can calibrate your rotary sprayer yourself. However, you can get Penn State to calibrate your sprayer equipment for you. Before it happens, there are several pre-calibration tasks you have to complete, such as triple rinsing the tank and piping, cleaning nozzles, and flushing out the line to the pressure gauges.
Last task of the year for a pesticide applicator is to winterize the spraying equipment. Once again, best practices such as wearing PPE and cleaning the sprayer regularly will increase the longevity and efficiency of the equipment.
- News
Herbicide Contamination Discovered in Midash Forte
Date Posted 8/8/2024Penn State Extension has been notified of herbicide contamination in a lot of Midash Forte (Sharda USA, LLC) insecticide. Growers applying this product should suspend use until confirmed to be uncontaminated. - Articles
What's in That Herbicide Container?
That familiar pesticide product on the store shelf may not be what you thought. - News
Talking to Neighbors About Pesticides
Date Posted 3/19/2024Tips and obligations for private, commercial, and public applicators when neighbors ask about pesticides. - Articles
Pesticide Application Recordkeeping Manual
Downloadable recordkeeping manual with worker protection standard and calibration information from the Pesticide Education Program. - Articles
Estándar de Protección de los Trabajadores Agrícolas de la EPA ante los Pesticidas Agrícolas
Esta normativa cubre aquellos pesticidas que se utilizan en la producción de plantas agrícolas en granjas, bosques, viveros y producciones en espacios cerrados. - News
The CHEMSWEEP Program Deadline is March 31st
Date Posted 12/12/2023CHEMSWEEP collects and disposes of unwanted or unusable pesticides. - Articles
¿Qué licencia de pesticida necesita su empresa?
En Pensilvania, los profesionales relacionados con la industria agrícola, forestal y de jardinería que utilizan pesticidas deben conocer las leyes que regulan el uso de pesticidas en Pensilvania y saber cómo aplicarlas y cumplirlas. Esto incluye reconocer si se requiere una Certificación de Aplicador de Pesticidas (comúnmente conocida como Licencia de Pesticidas) y qué tipo y categoría de certificación deberá tener según el trabajo que realice. - News
Upcoming Respirator Fit Test Sessions
Date Posted 10/20/2023Fit Tests are an Annual and Mandatory Requirement and the Respirator Fit Test Program Can Help! - Videos
Integrated Weed Management: Weed Scouting for Fruit Production
Length 8:37Integrated Weed Management in fruit production starts with scouting and identifying weeds. - Videos
Core Topic Briefs: Ground Water Model
Length 16:00This video shows movements of water under the earth and how pollution might affect drinking water. (Modelo de Agua Subterranea) - Articles
Backpack Sprayer Calibration for Woodland Applications
This article explains the procedures for calibrating a backpack sprayer to determine how much herbicide to include in a spray mixture for broadcast, spot, single-seedling plot, and band applications in woodlands and other natural areas. - Tools and Apps
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Checklist
This checklist is a brief overview of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticide requirements for compliance. - Videos
Cuestiones Reglamentarias: HazCom 2012 Capacitación para la Industria de la seta
Length 21:29El contenido de este vídeo cumple con los requisitos de capacitación bajo los lineamientos del Comunicado de Riesgos 2012 de OSHA. - Videos
Core Topic Briefs: Soybean Field Pest Walk with John Tooker
Length 11:58Video shows scouting walk in soybean fields to determine through IPM if an application of an insecticide was necessary. (Exploración en Campo de Soya) - Videos
Core Topic Briefs: Using Insect Pheromone Traps
Length 6:38An overview of insect pest and insect pheromone trapping in Pennsylvania with John Tooker, Penn State Entomologist. (Usar Trampas de Feromonas para Insectos) - Articles
Orchard Wildlife Management - An Integrated Approach
As with integrated pest management for insect pests, IPM for wildlife management involves integrating multiple control strategies, and the key to success is routine monitoring. - Tools and Apps
Recordkeeping Form for Pesticide Applicators
This Recordkeeping form can be used by commercial/public applicators, private applicators, and by operations covered by the WPS to keep records of all their pesticide applications. - Videos
Core Topic Briefs: History of Pesticides
Length 8:06See examples of pests that changed history and early pest control. Learn about current regulations to control pests while safeguarding/monitoring the food supply and educating pesticide applicators. - Videos
Calibration How Tos: Easy Way to Sprayer Calibration
Length 9:08Calibration chart and other resources (Maneras Fáciles de: Calibrar una Aspersora de Aguilon) - Videos
Calibration How Tos: How to Calibrate a Backpack Sprayer
Length 8:03This video provides you with techniques to properly calibrate your backpack sprayer. - Videos
Calibration How Tos: How to Calibrate Your Rotary Spreader
Length 7:23The video shows you how to calibrate your rotary spreader. - Videos
Calibration How Tos: Air Blast Sprayer Calibration
Length 6:13Precalibration methods for airblast and boom sprayers. Penn State/ University of New Hampshire Air Blast Sprayer Pre-calibration Instructions. - Videos
Air-blast Sprayer Calibration: Process
Length 6:01This video shows you the steps of the air-blast sprayer calibration process. - Videos
Air-blast Sprayer Calibration: Educator Perspective
Length 7:54In this video, learn about the importance of air-blast sprayer calibration to help reduce pesticide use and increase cost savings to the grower. - Videos
Air-blast Sprayer Calibration: Testimonial
Length 4:17Testimonial account from a grower about Air Blast Sprayer Calibration.