Safe pesticide use: label, dose, protection and pre-harvest interval

Before you spray

The decision to spray should follow scouting, not the calendar.

• Identify the pest or disease correctly before choosing a product
• Use only a product registered for that crop and that pest under the Insecticides Act
• Read the label and leaflet: dose, water volume, waiting period and antidote
• Check the colour-coded toxicity triangle on the label
• Calibrate the sprayer so the label dose actually lands on the crop

During spraying

Protection is not optional, and neither is the direction of the wind.

• Wear the protective equipment stated on the label: full sleeves, gloves, mask, goggles, boots
• Never spray against the wind; spray in the cooler hours and never in high wind
• Never eat, drink, smoke or clear a blocked nozzle by mouth while spraying
• Never mix chemicals with bare hands, and never mix products at random
• Keep children, livestock and untrained persons out of the field

After spraying

Two habits protect your family and your market access.

• Observe the pre-harvest interval printed on the label, without exception
• Bathe and wash clothes separately from household laundry
• Triple rinse, puncture and dispose of empty containers as directed; never reuse them
• Record the product, dose and date, which residue-conscious buyers will ask for
• Rotate modes of action across sprays to slow resistance build-up

If someone is exposed

Move the person to fresh air, remove contaminated clothing, wash the skin with soap and water, and take the person and the product label to a doctor immediately. The label carries first-aid and antidote information for the treating physician. This guide is general information and does not replace the product label or medical advice.

Common questions

What is the pre-harvest interval?

The minimum days that must pass between the last spray and harvest, printed on the label. Harvesting earlier leaves residues above permitted limits.

Are bio-pesticides safer?

They generally carry lower toxicity, but they still have labels, doses and directions that must be followed. Efficacy depends on correct timing and coverage.