Plant protection products , which allow us to effectively protect our crops, may unfortunately also harm the environment around us and ourselves. Therefore, you should follow all safety rules when usingchemical plant protection products- from the moment of purchasing the product, through its storage period, to the moment of use and proper disposal of the packaging inside. See how to safelyuse pesticidesin our gardens.
Plant protection products
How to buy plant protection products
In spring, many people fill in the gaps and buy new products for chemical protection of plants against pests and pathogenic organisms. However, when shopping, you should follow a few simple rules so as not to fall victim to fraud or not to spend money on a drug that will be useless for protecting plants in our garden.
The searchplant protection productsalways start in a reliable store or garden center, where properly trained staff will not only help diagnose the disease or type of pest that has attacked the plants, but also make it easier for the buyer making a choice by offering the right products. Beware of the tempting opportunities to getplant protection productscheaply from roadside sellers who usually do not have a valid license to distribute chemicals, which they compensate with a lower price. Although the products they offer may be in their original packaging, they often have expired or, what is worse, their composition does not correspond to the content of the ingredients specified on the label.
Before choosing from among several preparations suitable for the protection of a given plant, it is worth getting acquainted with the following:
1)periods of prevention , i.e. the minimum time that must elapse on the agent used, so that people and animals can contact the protected plants (the shorter the time, the better),
2)with grace periods , i.e. the minimum time that must be elapse before harvesting crops from plants subjected to protective treatments using chemicals,
3)toxicity classof a given protection product for humans, animals and insects, including bees, and of aquatic organisms.
Choose preparations with fast and effective action against the target organisms, which decompose into substances that do not pose a direct threat to humans and the environment after several hours from application.
Biological preparations, although they work slightly slower than chemicalplant protection chemicals , should have a special place in the pest and disease control program in home gardens and allotments, as they usually have a zero prevention and grace period, and no side effects on human he alth and the environment.
Gardening gloves and face mask
Plant protection products - rules for safe use
To use plant protection products safelystrictly follow the basic principles of occupational he alth and safety, because the active substances contained in the preparations are often strong poisons that pose a threat to human he alth and life. Even before unsealing the packaging, carefully read the detailed operating instructions and the listed rules of protecting he alth against the adverse effects of active substances contained in a given product.
Here are the basic recommendationshow to use plant protection productsto minimize the negative impact of these preparations on human he alth and the natural environment:
- when preparing the working liquid and during the treatment, wear protective clothing that carefully covers the parts of the body most exposed to contact with the preparation,
- you must never drink, eat or smoke tobacco during or immediately after the protection procedure,
- spraying should be carried out in as little wind as possible, so that the liquid drops are not carried away by gusts of wind beyond the area subject to the protection treatment,
- always prepare enough working liquid to use it completely on the protected surface,
- after completing the procedure, dilute the remnants of the spray liquid well and spread it again on the protected area,
- under no circumstances should the remnants of the working liquid be poured into the sewage system or elsewhere, because the ingredients of the preparation, after getting into the groundwater, may pose a serious threat to the he alth and even life of other people and animals,
- after finishing work, immediately wash your face, hands and other parts of the body exposed to direct contact with the working liquid with soap and water,
- also a solution of the protective agent, y after rinsing the sprayer at least three times, spread it on the previously protected surface,
- empty packages of plant protection products should be delivered to the point where the product was purchased.
Plant protection products should be stored only in their original, tightly closed packaging, in a dry place, out of the reach of children
Plant protection products - storage
Remember also about the rules regardingstorage of plant protection productsThey should be stored in original, tightly closed packages. Sudden changes in temperature should not occur in the place of storage of plant protection products. The agents should be stored so that they do not heat up from the sun and do not get wet. Ideally, they should be locked in a locker that will not be accessible to bystanders, especially children.
