Insecticides are a type of insect repellent that targets insects. They are used to kill, repel, or prevent the look of certain insects. Insecticides are often toxic and should be used with caution. Consider all alternatives including non-insecticide options like

1. Take away sources of food and water.

2. Demolish pest shelters and breading sites.

3. Maintain physical barriers that keep pests out of house.

4. Eliminate wet areas that provide pests with water like leaky pipes, damp basement areas and standing water.

5. Dispose of garbage regularly.

How to apply insecticides in safe way:

Read the directions previous to opening the insecticide container. Take any optional protective measures. Know what to do in a crisis. Follow the mixing directions and apply the correct quantity of insecticide. If some is good, more is not better, so use insecticides at recommended rates. Always wash the hands after application. Stock up insecticides in their original containers. Keep away from the reach of children and pets. Put on rubber gloves previous to moving any old insecticide container. If the container has no labels, and it contents are unidentified, handle with great care. If the container is leaking, place in a tough plastic bag and seal. Do not put unwanted insecticides in the trash. Take them to a local hazardous waste compilation facility.

General instructions:

The smallest amount protection when running with pesticides is long sleeves, long pants, shoes and socks, rubber gloves and splash-proof eye safety, regardless of the toxicity stage of the pesticide. Rubber boots and a breathing apparatus are necessary when working with moderately or highly toxic pesticides. It is recommended to wear a double layer of clothing. This can be able by wearing coveralls over the long pants and long sleeve shirt and rubber boots over the shoes and socks. Respirators are designed to stop inhaling toxic fumes and mists. They must be used when absorption or applying pesticides if the label specifies the need. Choose the correct sealed unit for the type of pesticide being used. The producer or supplier can provide guidance on selecting correct cartridges.

Tips for using insecticides:

Always study the entire label carefully before using. Follow all of the tag directions, including limits for use on young children and the maximum number of applications allowed per day. Apply the repulsive sparingly and only on bare skin surfaces or on top of clothing. Do not use beneath clothing. Heavy application and dispersion are unnecessary for effectiveness. Repeat applications only as necessary. Do not get in eyes. If do get repellent in eyes, rinse immediately with water. Do not use the repellent on open wounds or if skin is irritated or sunburned.

Avoid breathing cover mists and never apply sprays inside a tent. Use only in airy areas. Do not use near food. Wash treated skin with soap and water when return indoors or when protection is no longer needed. Keep all bug repellent containers out of the reach of children. Always control the application on children. Keep away from applying repellent to children’s hands to reduce the chance of getting the repellent in their eyes and mouths. If suspected that child are reacting to an insect repellent, stop using the product immediately, wash treated skin and seek medical attention. While going to the doctor, take the product container too.

Choosing a product:

Choose a product that meets the needs. if planning to be outdoors for a short period of time, choose a product with a lower concentration of repellent and repeat application only if needed a longer protection time. Use only personal insect repellents that are registered. They have a registration number granted under the Pest Control Products Act and are labeled as insect repellents for use on humans. There are five different active ingredients found in registered individual insect repellents. The active item, its concentration, protection times and use instructions are all listed on each product label

Safe insecticides:

1. Soybean oil - Registered products containing soybean oil give between one to 3.5 hours of defense against mosquitoes, depending on the product. Products containing soybean oil were lately registered and thus meet all the modern safety standards.

2. Citronella and lavender - The re-evaluation of citronella-based bug repellents was completed. This review was based on a limited amount of human health data that left a high degree of doubt about its safety.