Even in the colder months of the year, gardening can be a fun past time to get delicious fruits and vegetables or herbs and flowers. Regardless of what you are growing, it needs to be maintained. This can be difficult when you are battling pests who are ruining your crops. So what are gardeners to do? Use pesticides. However, these can be seriously dangerous to use if they are handled incorrectly. Consider these tips on how to safely use pesticides in your garden, indoors or out.
1. Don't use a homemade formula
Many gardeners who are against the idea of pesticides or looking to save a little money might try to make a homemade formula. Most of these mixes consist of detergent and water or some type of herbal remedy. While these formulas might be effective, they actually are illegal to use as a type of pesticide. This formula is unreliable as it is not a tested way to kill bugs and not kill your plants. You might find that your pests died, only to discover that your plants perished a few weeks later. Instead of going this route, research a few pesticides that are known to work well on the pests you are battling. That way, your plants will be safe and you will have effectively eliminated the problem.
2. Read the directions
Once you've found a pesticide formula you like, it's important to read the directions. While this might seem like a silly request, it's critical that you follow the instructions to a tee. Many people accidentally mix the wrong amounts of the solution, leading to a toxic chemical solution that can be extremely harmful to yourself or your family. If used safely, pesticides can be a great solution to eradicating your pest issues and keeping your plants safe. If the label comes with a warning, be sure to read it. Also, throw out old pesticides. Many homeowners will continue to use an old mix that they created months ago. However, this formula isn't effective and could be toxic and harmful to inhale.
3. Know when to call for help
Sometimes pest issues can be small and other times they can be completely out of hand. In cases where your pest problem is severe and seems to be everywhere, it's better to call in professional pest control people to manage the issue for you. They have the resources and experience necessary to get rid of the pests once and for all. Many homeowners may try a DIY option at first, hoping to save money. However, these solutions are ineffective when a pest control situation is clearly running rampant. Professional pest controllers have interacted with a variety of pests and can take them on at once to help save your garden.
4. Be mindful of your distribution process
Many people will purchase pesticides that come with a handheld sprayer or simply a dry formula that you can sprinkle around. While this might seem like a great idea, it's not. Handheld sprayers can be dangerous and harm you if you don't know what you are doing, and dry formulas tend to not be strong enough for most pests. Look into different distribution methods to see what people are using on their gardens for safekeeping. There are several great resources out there that have the information you need to make the right, smart decision.
5. Keep away pets and young family members
During your application process, make sure you warn others of what you are doing. You don't want young fingers touching certain plants or dogs licking the pesticides off of the plants. These chemicals are still very harmful and certainly can be problematic if they get in the eyes or mouth. Apply the chemicals on your own and ask that everyone stays away from the sprayed area until it's safe.
