Pesticide Safety: More Than Just Reading the Label

Gardening can be a rewarding hobby, but the pesticides and herbicides we use to control weeds, insects, and diseases deserve careful attention. While many products available to homeowners are considered safe when used correctly, improper handling and application can increase risks to people, pets, wildlife, and the environment.

Dress for the Job, Not the Weather
It's not uncommon to see a neighbor spraying weeds in flip-flops, shorts, and a tank top on a hot summer day. While it may seem harmless, this is one of the easiest ways to increase pesticide exposure through skin contact, making bare legs, feet, arms, and hands particularly vulnerable. When applying pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, wear chemical-resistant gloves, long pants, closed-toe shoes or boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and eye protection when recommended on the label. Even products marketed as "safe" or "natural" can cause skin irritation, eye injury, or other health concerns if handled improperly. Taking a few extra minutes to dress appropriately can significantly reduce exposure.

Pay Attention to Temperature and Weather Conditions
Many gardeners focus on what they are spraying but overlook when they are spraying. Temperature, wind, and humidity can all affect pesticide performance and safety. 

Some herbicides can become more volatile during hot weather. Volatility occurs when a product evaporates after application and moves off-target, potentially damaging nearby flowers, trees, vegetables, or neighboring landscapes. This also puts the person applying herbicide at risk of inhaling these chemicals. Applying products during cooler parts of the day and following label temperature restrictions can help reduce the risk. 

Wind is another important consideration. Even a light breeze can carry spray droplets onto desirable plants, pollinator habitat, or neighboring property. Avoid spraying during windy conditions and use coarse spray droplets when appropriate to minimize drift.

Think Beyond Your Property Line
Pesticides rarely stay exactly where we intend them to. Spray drift and runoff can affect neighboring gardens, pollinator populations, pets, and local waterways. Before spraying, consider what surrounds the target area. Are there flowering plants nearby? Is a vegetable garden downwind? Could rain wash the product into a storm drain or irrigation ditch? Taking these factors into account can help prevent unintended damage in addition to maintaining good relationships with your neighbors.

Storage and Cleanup Matter Too
Safe pesticide use doesn't end when the spraying stops. Always store products in their original containers with labels intact and keep them locked away from children and pets. Never transfer pesticides into food or beverage containers. After applying pesticides, wash your hands thoroughly, clean equipment according to label recommendations, and launder work clothing separately from other household laundry. Proper cleanup can prevent accidental exposure long after the application is complete.

A Few Extra Precautions Go a Long Way
Most pesticide-related injuries and exposures are preventable. Reading and following label directions, wearing proper protective clothing, paying attention to temperature and weather conditions, and protecting pollinators can all help make gardening safer.

The next time you see someone spraying weeds in shorts and flip-flops, remember that pesticide safety isn't about looking overly cautious, it's about reducing unnecessary exposure and protecting your health while enjoying the garden.