Pest, disease and weed control can be made easier with the targeted use of pesticides. Make sure you get the most out of these products by carefully reading the labels; these contain vital information on how to use the product safely and effectively.
Chemicals in the garden
Pesticide is the legal term given to substances used to control pests, diseases and weeds or to modify plant growth, e.g. rooting powders. When carefully used as directed by the manufacturer they are safe, effective tools. The active ingredients are listed on the label 1 allowing you to compare and choose products best suited to your situation.
Label requirements
Manufacturers undertake much research and testing to ensure their products meet the rigorous requirements for approval and to ensure the material in question is not only effective but also safe to users, consumers and the environment. The results of this research are summarised on the pesticide label, on the container and often on other packaging or in leaflets enclosed with the product. By following this information, gardeners benefit from the best application methods, the most effective and economical dosages and avoid risking their own safety and of other people and of the environment. Even those pesticides acceptable for use in organic gardening must carry essential advice and information on their labels.
Some information on labels is legally binding. Although the police are unlikely to raid potting sheds, most gardeners will be at pains to use pesticides in a lawful and responsible manner, and adhere to the statutory conditions of use.
Statutory information
Statutory information appears on packaging as a box labelled ‘Statutory Conditions for Use’ 2 and normally includes:
- Field of use restrictions, e.g. ‘FOR USE ONLY AS A HOME GARDEN INSECTICIDE ’
- The crop or situation that may be treated. e.g. ‘For use on lawns’
- Maximum individual dose/application rate. e.g. ‘15ml of product per 10 sq m’
- Maximum number of treatments or maximum total dose. e.g. ‘One per year’
- Latest time of application before harvest or re-entry interval. e.g. ‘At transplanting’ or ‘The minimum interval between applications to the following crops must be observed. Strawberry, apple, pear:14 days’
- Environmental protection requirements. e.g. 'Harmful to fish or other aquatic life. Do not contaminate ponds or streams.'
- A five figure 'ministerially approved pesticide product' (MAPP) number 3 that identifies the product and means that it has been tested and is safe to use for the purposes stated. Some pesticides for use in the home and other buildings don't have MAPP numbers - e.g. sprays and dusts for controlling ants, wasps and wasp nests, woodlice and flying insects indoors. These are registered and tested under a different scheme run by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and are given four figure HSE numbers.
- Some insecticides with physical actions that smother or gum up insects and mites, rather than directly poisoning them, are exempt from the requirement to have MAPP or HSE numbers. Chemicals used to monitor pest populations, such as moth pheromone traps, are also exempt.
There will also be a phrase advising gardeners that they are required to ‘read all precautions before use’. The precautions listed on the label 5, sometimes with a hazard symbol, contain essential advice on using the product safely, and for some products, on what to do in the event of a mishap.
Contact details and advice
The manufacturers contact details 4, including a helpline telephone number, must also be included on labels. The MAPP or HSE number 3 will assist the helpline staff in the event of queries. Helpline staff have access to all the data from research and can advise on their products.
Further information
Further information on the changes in pesticide legislation and the effects on availability of products
Advice on the safe use of pesticides
For details of which pesticides are available and the problems they control visit the Crop Protection Association website.