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Pesticide application methods and practices are largely dependent upon the nature of the application environment, that is, whether the application is occurring indoors or outdoors. Pesticides may be applied: 1) indoors (e.g., housing units, schools, other publicly owned buildings) or 2) outdoors (e.g., solid waste management units, parks and other recreational areas, other publicly owned land). Pesticide application ranges from household products, such as cockroach sprays and insect repellents (which can be applied without training as long as the label requirements are followed) to restricted use pesticides (which can only be applied by certified individuals).
There are literally hundreds of application methods that can be categorized into three major types:
· Sub-surface application methods, including injecting the pesticide into the ground to control subterranean insects, such as termites, grubs, and nematodes, and other sub-surface methods, such as incorporating the pesticide into the soil.
· Surface applications, which include applying pesticides directly to the surface of something (e.g., applications to floorboards, structures, animals or insects, crack/crevices). These types of application may include repellants, disinfectants, or mildewcides.
· Aerial application, including aircraft applications, spray booms to apply pesticides to trees, or fumigants to control mosquitoes and wood-boring insects, such as termites.
Pesticides can be applied in many forms including: gases, sprays, dusts, granulars, baits, dips, and through the release of predators. Pesticide application can impact the environment in several ways and is regulated under federal and state environmental laws and regulations. Pesticide-related activities conducted by local governments are primarily regulated under FIFRA, which specifies application in a manner consistent with the label. All pesticide management operations must comply with pesticide use requirements unless an emergency exemption has been granted by EPA (40 CFR 166). (It should be noted that FIFRA has been delegated by the federal government to the states.) Excessive applications may also be regulated under the CWA if the local government develops best management practices that are included in their storm water or wastewater discharge permits.
Applying Pesticides Indoors
Indoor applications consist of applying pesticides in non-agricultural areas or any type of structural or industrial areas requiring pest management. Applicators must follow label requirements for both general and restricted use pesticides. Applicators applying pesticides indoors must follow guidelines listed under 40 CFR 171, regulating the use of pesticides in, on, or around the following structures:
· Food handling establishments
· Human dwellings
· Institutions (such as schools and hospitals)
· Industrial establishments (including warehouses and grain elevators, and any other structures and adjacent areas, public or private).
The potential environmental impacts from indoor pesticide application are air pollution and contamination of personal items. Misuse of a pesticide could cause damage to non-target species, such as humans, pets, or other animals and plants that come into contact with the pesticide. Pesticide labels should be followed strictly to prevent indoor pollution and potential hazards to humans and animals. Individuals applying restricted use pesticides must follow FIFRA labeling requirements. The label controls when and under what conditions pesticides can be applied, mixed, stored, loaded or used. Labeling requirements establish worker protection standards imposed under FIFRA; this includes information on restricted entry intervals after pesticide usage and personal protective equipment requirements.
Applying Pesticides Outdoors
Outdoor use of pesticides refers to the application of any pesticide outside enclosed manmade structures. Local governments may be responsible for supervising the use of restricted pesticides to control pests in maintenance and production in the following areas:
· Public forest, nurseries and forest seed producing areas
· Ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers and turf
· Maintenance of public roads, electric power lines, pipelines, railway rights-of-way or other similar areas
· Recreation or other outdoor areas requiring pest management.
One of the most common methods of applying pesticides to outdoor areas is liquid spraying. Liquid spraying may be conducted by aerial spraying, tractor spraying, spray rigs, blasters, hand spraying, or other liquid spray devices. The potential environmental impacts from outdoor pesticide application are human exposure, and air, soil, and water contamination. The application of certain pesticides may destroy or have adverse effects on endangered or threatened species of fish, wildlife, or plants and their habitats. Local governments must ensure that the use of pesticides does not jeopardize the existence of these species or their habitats, as stated under 50 CFR 402.
Outdoor pesticide activities are regulated under the label requirements and application provisions of FIFRA. FIFRA establishes worker protection standards designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. This includes posting warning signs in areas where pesticides have been applied. FIFRA also requires the certified applicator to maintain records regarding the product name, amount, approximate date of application and location of application of each pesticide used for a 2-year period.
Certifying Applicators
Pesticides can be classified into two categories--general use and restricted use pesticides. General use pesticides are those that when applied properly, will not cause adverse effects on the environment and can be applied by anyone. Restricted use pesticides are those that when applied, may cause adverse effects on the environment, including injury to the applicator. Applicators and supervisors of restricted use pesticides must be certified under Section 11 of FIFRA, which outlines federal and state certification procedures for applicators. Applicators who use restricted use pesticides must be certified to use pesticides by demonstrating competency in specified areas:
· Label and labeling comprehension
· Safety techniques
· Environmental awareness
· Pest identification
· Pesticide application
· Equipment use
· Application techniques
· Laws and regulations.
Keeping Records
Local governments who have staff or use certified pesticide applicators must keep and maintain various restricted-use pesticide records for a period of 2 years. The information that must be kept and maintained includes types, amounts, uses, dates, and places of application of all restricted use pesticides.
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