Communication, Pesticides and Safety Tips

Scott Stewart, IPM Specialist

Communicate

Talk frequently with growers, co-workers and bosses.  Know when and what insecticide applications have been made to a field.  Report any significant insect infestations immediately to the person responsible for making insect control recommendations.  If you are not the person responsible for making insect control recommendations for a field you are scouting, then don’t make them.  Be positive and courteous with growers.

Someone should know your approximate whereabouts and schedule in case of accident or emergency.  This may include family, co-workers or your employer.  Cell phones or two-way radios are suggested has a means of emergency communication.

Pesticides

Pesticides, and insecticides in particular, vary widely in their toxicity to people.  Never enter a field immediately after an insecticide application.  This is especially dangerous for highly toxic insecticides.  Minimum re-entry intervals (following an insecticide application) and other information are provided on the insecticide label (and at the back of the Insect Control Recommendations for Field Crops (PB 1768).

Know Your Insecticides.  The table below provides my relative index of insecticide toxicity.  This is primarily for dermal (skin) exposure.  Many relatively safe insecticides can be very dangerous if ingested because even insecticides with low toxicity are often mixed with dangerous chemicals.  Always seek immediate medical attention if any insecticide is swallowed. 

Relative insecticide toxicity.

* L = Low, M = Moderate, H = High

Insecticide Poisoning.

1) Symptoms may include eye tearing, blurred vision, salivation, unusual sweating, coughing, vomiting, and frequent bowel movements and urination. Breathing may become difficult, and muscles may twitch and become weak.  It is rare, but death can occur.  Symptoms last hours to days after exposure to carbamates but can last for weeks after exposure to organophosphate insecticides.  Pyrethroid insecticides can cause sneezing, eye tearing, coughing, and occasional difficulty breathing. Serious symptoms rarely develop.

2) Treatment for suspected insecticide poisoning should be immediate.  Insecticide labels contain treatment instructions for physicians.  Remove clothing and wash any skin which was exposed to insecticide.

Other Safety Considerations

Besides the risk of pesticide poisonings, and more common, scouts may suffer heat stroke.  Symptoms of heat stroke include weakness, dizziness, rapid pulse, reddish tinge to skin, nausea and/or vomiting, unconsciousness, high body temperature.

Tips:

• To avoid heat stroke, drink plenty of water, wear a wide-brim hat, and take breaks in the shade.

• Scouts should also wear a wide-brim hat and sunscreen to avoid sunburn (and skin cancer).

• Pants, rather than shorts are recommended to reduce wear and tear on your legs.  They also keep your skin from contacting any insecticide residue on plants.

• Bring a change of clothes, particularly later in the year when early morning dew will soak your clothing.  Not only will you be more comfortable, dry clothes are a better barrier to any insecticide residue that may be present on plants.

• Wash your hands before eating or drinking.

• If possible, schedule your hardest work during cooler times of the day.

• You are more likely to get in an automobile or four-wheeler accident than to be poisoned by pesticides.  Drive carefully!