By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent
February is National Pesticide Safety Education month. This is a time to carefully examine current best safety practices with pesticide use. Pesticides are key tools used to manage a diverse group of pests, diseases, and weeds. Pesticide safety is just as important with pesticides used around homes as it is on farms and businesses.
In Kentucky, pesticides are defined quite widely and include any substance or mixture of substances to prevent, destroy, control, repel, attract, or mitigate any pest; any substances used as plant regulators, defoliants, or desiccants; or any substance used as a spray adjuvant, once they have been mixed with an EPA registered product. Recently, new laws and regulations for pesticides were approved by the Legislature that affect core competencies expected of pesticide applicators as well as updated training and certification requirements.
Safe use of pesticides does not have a simple, one-size-fits-all solution, but here are some basic pesticide safety principles – a starting point for safety from purchase to disposal.
- Read the entire pesticide label before purchase and use. You are legally required to read and follow everything on the label except the information about crops or sites that you are not going to treat. Labels are periodically updated, users need to review the label even when they purchase materials they have used in the past.
- Follow all applicable federal, state, tribal, and local laws and regulations concerning the use of pesticides and personal protective equipment.
- Wash your reusable PPE with soap and water after use.
- Seek competent advice if there is something you don’t understand on the label or in other applicable laws and regulations.
- Transport pesticides in the car trunk or truck bed, separate from passengers, groceries or animal feed, and secure the containers to prevent spills.
- Store pesticides in original containers in a locked cabinet or secure area, away from food, feed, or personal protective equipment.
- Follow all applicable Worker Protection Standards information exchange, notification, posting, and other requirements.
- Measure and mix pesticides in a well-ventilated area away from children, pets, toys, and food.
- Calibrate and maintain application equipment so that the amount of pesticide applied will be accurate, uniform, and legal.
- Keep pesticides on target – use untreated buffers if necessary or delay the application if conditions favor off-target movement due to wind or water.
- Identify sensitive areas and organisms that could be affected by the application and take all necessary precautions.
- Do everything possible to prevent spills and leaks; always have absorbent material, such as cat litter or sawdust, readily available.
- Wash slightly contaminated work clothes separately before re-use; follow all directions on care and disposal of personal protective equipment.
- Dispose of pesticides properly, as well as any excess spray mixture, empty containers, and contaminated cleanup material and clothing.
Always read and follow all pesticide label requirements as well as all applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding pesticide use.
Written by Ric Bessin, Entomology Extension Specialist, and originally published on February 3, 2026 in Kentucky Pest News. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
Upcoming Events:
- Berry Plant Orders Due – Deadline extended to February 12th
- Northeast Area Livestock Association Meeting – February 24th @ 6:00 PM; Topic: USDA Programs
- Beef Quality Care & Assurance Training – February 27th @ 10:00 AM; Call 474-6686 to register.
