Pesticides

• Leftover pesticide is disposed directly into household and commercial drains.
• Rinse water from equipment clean-up is washed into drains.
• Rain and overwatering causes run-off to enter manholes and storm drains.
• Rags contaminated with pesticide are washed in washing machines.
• Pesticide is applied on a windy or rainy day.

Read the label carefully before purchasing pesticides. Always identify the pest and purchase the correct pesticide for the job. Follow the directions for mixing and use exactly as printed on the label. Overdosing can kill your garden or harm your family or pets. Remember: A little may be good, but a lot can be dangerous.

Always follow directions when disposing of pesticides and NEVER put the unused portion of the pesticide down household drains, toilets, commercial drains, storm drains or manholes. Perform clean-up activities on the lawn. Avoid overwatering lawns to prevent pesticide run-off. Dispose of water that may have come into contact with pesticides on the lawn. If you hire licensed professionals to help eliminate pests in and around your home, know which pesticide is used and ask how they will dispose of any unused chemical.

• Prevent pests from entering your home or garden in the first place. Remove the elements pests need to survive: moisture, food, shelter and hand weed your garden.
• Use alternatives to chemicals such as soap and water solutions, boric acid, microbial insecticides and insect baits and traps.
• Design your garden to be naturally pest resistant. Use mulch, prune correctly and encourage pest controlling organisms like ladybugs to thrive in your garden by planting nectar and pollen rich plants.
• Identify the proper pesticide for the problem pest and use only the amount absolutely necessary to achieve desired results.
• Don’t overwater your lawn to prevent run off.
• Avoid use of pesticide on windy or rainy days.

• Follow label directions for disposal. Do not pour them down the drain.
• Clean items and dispose of rinse water on your lawn or in your garden.
• Discard old or unused pesticide at one of El Paso’s Citizen Collection Stations.