Introduction:
It's easy to go wrong when you apply pesticides to your land. Pesticides applied in the wrong place or wrong time can be toxic to wildlife, livestock and people. You're wise to adopt a common sense strategy to manage the amounts, placement, timing, and handling of pesticides that helps you apply only what your crops need.

Crops are scouted to determine type of pests - insects, weeds and diseases - and the stage of development. The potential damage of the pest is then weighed against the cost of control. Finally, if pest control is economical, all alternatives are evaluated based on cost, results, and environmental impact. Precaution is taken to keep any chemicals from leaving the field by leaching, runoff or drift.
* Scouting and spot treatment for only those pests that are threatening can save money.
* Using fewer chemicals improves water quality.
* Specific treatments for specific pests on specific areas of a field prevents over-treatment of pests.

Plan Ahead:
* Which soils on your farm are likely to leach pesticides?
* Do you establish filter strips along streams?
* Did you consider pest control alternatives?
* Did you use records of crops and pest control for reference?
* Did you rotate crops to reduce the chance of pest problems?

Basics of Pest Management:
* Grow healthy, well adapted crops - they are less easily affected by pests.
* Maintain healthy soils - they are alive with beneficial organisms.
* Encourage diversity of plants and animals - be in tune with nature.
* Monitor insect, disease, and weed populations - apply timely control techniques.
* Learn the common pests and control techniques.
* Consider organic crop production techniques, with no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
* If you use pesticides, read and follow label instructions carefully, try spot applications and always calibrate your sprayer.

Pest Management Practices you can use and why:
* Conservation crop rotations break pest cycles.
* Cover crops and mulches smother weeds by shading.
* Scouting keeps you informed about the presence and population of pests.
* Proper timing of tillage operations is essential for effective mechanical weed control.
* Narrow plant spacing can out-compete weeds.
* Careful timing of planting dates can compound some pests.
* Buffers and cover crops harbor beneficial insects.
* Install bat houses.

Technical Notes:
* Complete a pesticide risk assessment of potential environmental damage from leaching or runoff. Consider this information when selecting a pesticide.
* Wear protective clothing when applying a pesticide.
* Mix and load pesticides in an area that won't contaminate water supplies; and prevent back siphoning.
* Triple rinse containers before recycling.
* Apply pesticides during periods of minimal potential for drift or runoff.
* Use the lowest application rate practical and rotate pesticides.
* Use spot treatment or banding when possible in areas of concentrated pest populations.
* Continue scouting to best identify pests and control methods.
* Keep records to track costs and chemical application.
* Calibrate spray equipment.

Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture