Safe use of herbicides and correct application is essential for optimum results and safety of humans, animals and the environment.
Herbicides are of 3 types and applied at three different stages. Pre planting herbicides are applied before planting to kill perenial weeds, pre emergence herbicides are applied immediately after planting when the soil is moist to kill weed seeds or emerging weed seedlings and post emergence herbicides that are sprayed weeks after planting to kill grass weeds.
Safety precautions
Before application, read the label on the herbicide bottle to know the correct dosage, date of manufacture and date of expiration of the herbicides. Also wear personal protective equipments which include include nose mask, gloves, overall and gum boots.
Spray only when the wind is not strong and there is no sign of rain. Herbicides should be applied by trained personnel.
Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling herbicides. Dispose off empty containers in a collection centre for hazardous waste but if you have no such point, rinse the container 3 times with water, puncture it with a nail and burry it deep in the ground.
Do not use empty herbicide containers to convey drinking water, vegetable oil or any other liquid for human or animal consumption.
Caution after spraying
After spaying, wash the sprayer at the site where you spayed and not in a stream or places used for water supply. Wash and change clothes before eating or drinking.
In case of eye or skin contamination, rinse with clean water for at least 10 minutes. If you feel dizzy or weak after spraying, do not take milk or palm oil or sleep, go to hospital with the container that had the herbicide.
