Pesticides

      From a talk by Reeves Petrof.
         * Pesticides - An umbrella term  describing herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, or any chemical control of pests.   A pesticide is also a mixture of substances intended for destroying, preventing, repelling or mitigating any pest.  These pests can be insects, mice or other animals, any unwanted plant, fungi, or micro organisms. 
         
      Some examples of pesticides would be:
      • cockroach sprays and baits
      • insect repellents for personal use
      • to control noxious weeds
      • rat and rodent poisons
      • flea and tick sprays
      • disinfectants and sanitizes
      • products that kill mold and mildew 
        * Pesticide Safety:
       

          All of the workers are wearing the proper safety equipment.
       
      • Safety Gear
            - Gloves
            - Goggles
            - Spray Suit
            - Rubber Boots
       
      •     Pesticides can eat away at your clothing or chemically burn your skin.  Never get it near your eyes or mouth in case of exposure or possible ingestion.
       
      • Always read the safety label!!
       

      * Uses of Pesticides:
       
      • To chemically control pests.  The more use of pesticide control the less we will have to worry about pests ruining crops or the land.
       
      • Herbicides control weeds.  They normally come in a spray form.  Herbicides work faster than biological control.  Many of rancher use herbicides when they need their land as soon as possible.  It has been proven to work well and is efficient.
       
      • Ranchers use the pesticides to see immediate results.  They can't have weeds in their land, because it destroys their crops.  An example is Canadian thistle.  The farmers cannot graze their cattle in weed infested fields.  Cattle will either not eat the weeds or the weeds will poison them.
       
      This picture is of a workshop that tells people about how they can help control pesticides.

      Links to find more helpful information on pesticides:
      EPA
      Chemical Testing
      Pesticide Programs
      AGCHEMPRICE
      Pesticide Information
      Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides on Crops
      Conditions of Pesticides
      Pesticides National
      Pesticide Locator
      Pesticide Data Base
      Pesticide Action Network
      The Pesticides Trust


      Catherine Dale, Kari Chatriand, and Rachel McCollum
      Picture By: Mr.  Breitenfeldt

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