Environmental Hazard Statements
Label warnings protecting non-target organisms - aquatic toxicity, bee hazards, bird toxicity requiring specific precautions.
Detailed Overview
Labels include environmental hazard statements warning of risks to non-target species. Common warnings: (1) Aquatic toxicity: "This product is highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates." Do not apply directly to water, contaminate water with runoff, or apply when heavy rain expected. Do not apply within X feet of water. Products containing pyrethroids, fipronil especially toxic to fish - extreme caution near aquariums, ponds, streams. (2) Bee toxicity: "This product is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment." Do not apply to flowering plants when bees foraging. Apply in early morning or evening when bees inactive. Neonicotinoids particular concern. (3) Bird toxicity: "This pesticide is toxic to birds." Cover spills, collect and dispose of treated bait if wildlife access possible. Rodenticides cause secondary poisoning when birds eat poisoned rodents. (4) Beneficial insects: "This product is toxic to beneficial insects." Minimize spray drift, avoid broadcast applications when possible. Precautions required: follow buffer zones near water, time applications to avoid bee exposure, prevent access by wildlife, clean up spills immediately, prevent drift to non-target areas. Liability: environmental violations serious - fish kills, bee kills result in fines and damage to profession.
When to Use
Read environmental hazard statements on all products. Take precautions to protect non-targets. Avoid applications near water with fish-toxic products. Apply bee-toxic products when bees not active. Prevent wildlife access to rodenticides.
Required Skill Level
Should only be performed by licensed pest management professionals
Benefits
- Protects beneficial insects and wildlife
- Prevents environmental contamination
- Reduces liability from non-target impacts
- Maintains sustainability of pest control
- Required by law to follow precautions
Limitations
- Environmental restrictions may limit application options
- Weather and wildlife unpredictable
- Bee activity difficult to control perfectly
- Customer may not understand environmental concerns
Related Concepts
Other principles that may be useful
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A prevention-based pest management method that provides long-lasting pest control, improves building conditions, and is less harmful to residents and pets than traditional pest control.
Pest Triangle
The four essential requirements pests need to survive: food, water, shelter, and ways to get around. Eliminating any of these makes an environment inhospitable to pests.
Threshold Levels
The point at which pest populations or damage reaches a level that requires action. IPM uses threshold levels to determine when treatment is necessary rather than treating on a schedule.