Pesticides: Health and Safety

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This page is oriented toward people who use pesticides in or around their homes. If your job involves pesticides or may result in pesticide exposure (for example, you harvest crops in a field where pesticides were used), please see the Worker Safety and Training page.

Safely using pesticides depends on using the appropriate pesticide and using it correctly. The label on the pesticide container provides instructions for use of the pesticide. It also includes warnings that are intended to let the user know how to prevent harmful exposures, such as by wearing protective clothing, keeping children and pets out of the treated area for certain periods, and so on. It is very important to Read the Label First before using a pesticide.

EPA has several publications that provide more information about safe pesticide use:

• Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (PDF) (54 pp, 2.3 MB, About PDF) offers information about preventing pests, using non-chemical pest control methods, using chemical pesticides, reducing your exposure when others use pesticides, choosing a pest control company, handling an emergency such as a poisoning, and more.
  
  
• Read the Label First: Protect Your Household (PDF) (2 pp, 1.0 MB, About PDF)) includes information about the importance of keeping pesticides in their original container, how to prevent harm to the environment, why you should buy the right product in the right amount for your needs.
  
  
• Read the Label First: Protect Your Pet (PDF) (2pp, 1.0 MB, About PDF) includes information about the importance of keeping pesticides in their original container, how to keep pets away from products, and the types of label precautions you may see.
  
  
• Read the Label First: Protect Your Kids (PDF) (2pp, 1.0 MB, About PDF) includes information about the importance of reading and following label directions, keeping pesticides in their original container, storing products, and knowing where to call for help.
  
  
• Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings - These simple steps can help you save children from environmental hazards around the home.
  
  
• Read the Label First: Protect Your Garden (PDF) (2pp, 1.0 MB, About PDF) includes tips on selecting and using garden products, where to call for help, and the importance of reading and following label directions.
  
  
• Play it Safe; Reduce your Child's Chances of Pesticide Poisoning (PDF) (8 pp, 365k, About PDF) - PDF en español
  
  
• Poison-Proof Your Home One Room at a Time (PDF) (2 pp, 160k, About PDF) - PDF en español

Mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks can be annoying and sometimes pose a serious risk to public health. In certain areas of the U.S., mosquitos can transmit diseases like equine and St. Louis encephalitis. Biting flies can inflict a painful bite that can persist for days, swell, and become infected. Ticks can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. When properly housed, insect repellents can discourage biting insects from landing on treated skin or clothing.