Choosing Least-Toxic Options
to Manage Pests
How do you decide which option to choose
when pests exceed acceptable levels?
Safety should be a primary
consideration, along with effectiveness, convenience and cost.
Pesticides should always be a last resort, used only when non-chemical
options fail to adequately solve a pest problem.
Some pesticides are more toxic than others. One measure of toxicity
is indicated by signal words on pesticide labels. The most toxic are
labeled DANGER, followed by WARNING. The least toxic are labeled
CAUTION.
Other indications of toxicity include
carcinogenicity (cancer-causing potential), reproductive, nervous
system or endocrine (hormone) system toxicity. These criteria are
not always identified on pesticide product labels or material safety data
sheets (MSDS).
WARNING: We've developed this
web resource to help you choose appropriate options to manage your pest
problems. All pesticides, even least-toxic options, are
poisons designed to kill and should be handled with extreme caution.
Non-chemical options can also be hazardous to health. Whenever possible, pesticides should be applied to limit contact with people,
for example, to cracks and crevices,
behind counters, etc. Applicators should always wear
protective clothing specified on the pesticide label, such as gloves, eye
protection and respirator. The user bears all responsibility for use
of information from this site.
