Select a box or circle, or scroll down, for more information on a label section.
THE BRAND NAME OR TRADE NAME
- Name on the front of the pesticide container.
- Also known as the product name.
- Helps to identify and advertise a product.
- Different brand names might contain the same active ingredients.
- Not very important to consider when choosing a pesticide product.
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ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients that actually kill or control the listed pests.
- Found on front of container and lists the amounts (in percent) of each ingredient in the product.
- “Other ingredients” may be mentioned that help with application but do not usually affect the pests sprayed.
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SIGNAL WORD
- Will be either
CAUTION,
WARNING, or
DANGER.
- Tells the short-term toxicity of a pesticide based on how a person contacts the pesticide.
- Contact can occur through the skin, eyes, mouth, or nose.
- Choose products with the signal word
CAUTION — these are the
least toxic.
- “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN” statement is always printed near the signal word.
- Children are more at risk to the damage caused by pesticides!
SIGNAL WORD TOXICITY LEVELS
Pesticides with the signal word
“CAUTION” are the least harmful and are only slightly toxic.
Pesticides with the signal word “WARNING” are more harmful than those marked
“CAUTION.” These products can cause moderate skin or eye irritation and are moderately toxic if absorbed through the skin, eaten or inhaled.
Pesticides with the signal word
“DANGER” are the most toxic and can be corrosive, causing irreversible damage to the skin or eyes. Pesticides with this signal word are highly toxic when absorbed through the skin, eaten or inhaled.
TARGET PESTS
- Lists the pests controlled by the product.
- May state the specific pest life stage to treat.
- Check the “directions for use” section for additional pests the product will control.
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STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
Describes how to properly store and dispose of a pesticide:
- Keep pesticide in the original container, in a cool, dry, locked area.
- Store pesticide as the label states to avoid breakdown of the pesticide or the container.
- Follow the directions for how to dispose of containers.
- Never reuse a pesticide container for any purpose.
- Wrong container disposal could contaminate the environment and harm others.
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FIRST AID
- Provides basic instructions for what to do if someone comes in contact with the pesticide.
- Lists emergency phone numbers.
- Lists instructions on what to do before heading to the hospital if needed (i.e., take a photo of the container to show the doctor).
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DIRECTIONS FOR USE
- Read ALL “directions for use”
BEFORE using a pesticide.
- Do not trust your memory, even if you have purchased and used a product before. Pesticide labels are frequently updated and the directions may have changed.
- Use only the amounts specified at the sites allowed.
- Pay special attention to restrictions for use.
- Not following the “directions for use”—
- may result in poor control of the pest.
- may cause health and safety concerns.
- is illegal according to the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
- Explains hazards posed to humans or animals by exposure to the product.
- Lists proper precautions to prevent hazards, to include personal protective equipment needed for safe application.
- May list specific information on hazards to the environment.
- Lists physical hazards (i.e. fire or explosive concerns) related to the product.
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EPA REGISTRATION NUMBER
- Unique identification number provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Example: EPA Reg. No. 123-45
- In this example “123” is the company number and “45” is the product number.
- Means the EPA found that the product
will kill the listed pests with minimal/low risk to the applicator when the “directions for use” are followed.
- For best results, choose EPA registered products!
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