SPRAYER SAFETY
Handling garden chemicals improperly can result in injury to yourself and others as well as the environment. Remember to read your sprayer manual as well as the chemical labels when getting ready for application. Here are a few tips you should know before getting started.
- USE THE RIGHT CHEMICAL. Make sure you know what it is you’re trying to get rid of. As a member of the Tsugawa staff for help if you’re unsure. It is actually illegal to use a chemical not listed for use on the specific pest you’re trying to control.
- KNOW WHEN TO SPRAY. Do not spray when the wind can cause the spray to drift. To avoid run-off, do not spray if there is rain in the immediate forecast. The best time to spray is in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are low. Do not spray if there are bees present, as many chemicals will do them harm. Chemicals are likely to burn a plant if applied in the heat of the afternoon.
- DRESS ACCORDINGLY. We recommend wearing boots, long pants, long sleeves and rubber gloves to avoid contact with chemicals. Check you chemical labels for additional recommendations such as wide-brimmed hats and goggles. After spraying, do not wear your clothes into your home. Remove them in the garage and wash them. Residue from the chemicals will still be on them and will transfer to your furniture. It is also recommended that you shower afterwards.
- MAKE SURE YOUR SPRAYER WORKS. Run your sprayer with water before applying chemicals to make sure it runs smoothly without any leaks.
- GET YOUR CONCENTRATIONS RIGHT. Be sure to follow the directions on the label of the chemical you’re about to apply. If you make too much, you’ll have to store it in a container for disposal as directed by the state environmental protection agency.
- CLEAN-UP CORRECTLY. Wash your sprayer out with water when you’re finished. Spray this water on your target plants as well, since there will still be a significant concentrations of chemicals in the sprayer. Store the sprayer upside down with the pump removed to allow the tank to dry out. Finally, wash your spray clothing in a separate load from the rest of your laundry.
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