Birchwood Allotment Association
Guidelines for the Use of Chemicals & Pesticides
These guidelines aim to provide the relevant information so that chemicals &
pesticides can be used effectively and safety on the allotments without risk to
humans, animals or insects.
Pesticides include the following categories of chemicals:
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Weedkillers (herbicides)
Slug pellets (molluscicides)
Animal repellents
Hormone rooting powders
Insecticides
Plant growth regulators
Lawn sand treatments
Products for algae and snail control in ponds (aquatic algaecides and
molluscicides).
Fly sprays and ant powder (insect killers and repellents)
Fungicidal washes and patio cleaners (surface biocides)
Rat and mouse killers (rotenticides)
Cat repellents (vertebrate repellents)
Before you buy or use any pesticide, ask yourself whether it is really necessary to
control the pest, disease or weed and whether there is an alternative to traditional
chemical use. Organic gardening methods are one way that you can reduce
pesticide use and get nature to help control any pests or diseases. For example,
do one or two dandelions or daisies in the lawn mean that the whole lawn needs
treatment? Could you remove problem weeds by using a knife or garden fork
instead? Why not remove slugs or snails when they come out at night, or use a
physical barrier to discourage them?
The following websites may be helpful in providing information on alternative
methods to pesticides and encouraging nature to help control the problem:
Royal Horticultural Society – http://www.rhs.org.uk/
Garden Organic – http://www.gardenorganic.co.uk
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/
Selecting and buying pesticides
If you need to buy some pesticide you can check the products that are authorised
for use on particular plants or areas in the garden, this detail can be obtained from
the product label, or you can usually get advice from garden centres, DIY shops,
pesticide companies (a list of marketing companies is available on the database),
gardening organisations, or you can try http://www.garden-care.org.uk.
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Never buy more than you will need for one year.
Do not buy pesticides from the internet or when abroad until you have
found that they are legal to use in the UK.
General Cautions When Using Pesticides
The label will explain how to use the product safely and any special precautions
you need to take. For example, you may need to keep children and pets out of
treated areas, or you may need to wait for a certain length of time before eating
the fruit or vegetables you have treated.
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Always read the label before you buy the product, and again before you
use it.
Always follow the instructions carefully.
Where appropriate, dilute the product with water and apply it evenly.
If possible apply with a watering can to prevent drifting of spray.
Never make up more than you need for that day.
Do not be tempted to add extra pesticide/product to make it stronger – this
isn’t necessary and could even damage the plant or lawn that you are
treating.
For weedkillers that you use on lawns, it is particularly important to make
sure that you apply the product evenly – too much can damage or even kill
the lawn!
Apply slug pellets thinly to avoid the risk of poisoning wildlife and pets,
particularly dogs.
When the job is finished, always wash your hands before you do anything
else.
Applying pesticides when there are beehives present:
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Spray before or after plants are in bloom. This includes shade trees and
weeds. Prior to spraying mow your lawns and weeds to remove any
blooms.
Apply sprays in the late afternoon when bees are less likely to be foraging.
Damage to bees can be minimised by using a spray with a low residual
toxicity as these break down more readily.
Apply sprays when there is little or no wind. This decreases the chance of
any spray drifting into an area that is not intended to be sprayed.
Do not allow spray to drip and form puddles.
Contact any beekeepers you know in your neighbourhood and inform
them of the time you intend to spray and with what chemical. They may be
able to close or relocate their hive, or take some other precaution. Use the
chemical that is specifically made for the problem you are trying to rectify.
If you have a choice of chemicals opt for the one that will be the least
harmful to bees. Dusts present more of a hazard to bees than sprays.
Wettable powders are usually more harmful than either emulsifiable
concentrates or water soluble solutions.
Always check the product labels for specific bee hazards.
Take notice of the mixing rates and never exceed the recommended level.
Pay particular attention to any safety instructions.
Only apply sprays if you have the necessary safety equipment as
recommended on the label. These may include gloves, respitators,
waterproof clothing, wellingtons etc.
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Always dispose of any waste chemicals or used containers in the
recommended manner.
Storing Pesticides
 Always store pesticides in their original containers. This is for safety
reasons and is a legal requirement.
 After you have used a pesticide, make sure that the packaging is tightly
closed or sealed to avoid spillage.
 Store pesticides in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets.
 Take particular care to store slug pellets safely to avoid accidental
poisoning of children and pets – particularly dogs.
 Garden sheds and greenhouses are not ideal for storing pesticides as
they can get warm in summer and cold in winter. Pesticides products are
best stored in an even temperature.
 If you store it carefully, any remaining pesticides will be effective for some
years to come. You can check whether it is still legal to use by visiting
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/databas
es/databases-home.htm
 Never store diluted pesticides.
 Concentrated pesticides that have been diluted and stored may not work
as well when you next use them. It is also illegal to store pesticides that
are unlabelled and not in their original container for safety reasons.
Remember to only dilute enough for that day’s use.
 Never pour pesticides down the drain. Whether you’ve diluted it or not,
never pour pesticides down a drain or any other water drainage system
(e.g. sink or toilet) because of the risk of contaminating water and harming
wildlife. You could face prosecution.
 Pesticide containers that have held concentrated product (i.e. requiring
dilution before use) should be rinsed three times adding the washings to
the final spray solution. The empty container can then be placed in
household waste.
 Empty pesticide containers that have held Ready-to-Use product (i.e.
trigger sprays) can be disposed of directly into your household waste.
 Other empty pesticide containers e.g. bags and cardboard boxes can also
be disposed of in your household waste.
 Check the label for any advise on disposal of the product or empty
container.
 Do not burn any pesticide packaging.
Information Sources
Ivor Flatman – FERA regional bee inspector.
Chesterfield & District Beekeepers Association
http://www,pesticides.gov/garden_home.asp
http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/EGIL-5BB2PD?open