Target Pests / Scope
All pesticide applications - indoor sprays, outdoor treatments, granular spreaders, dusts, aerosols, and foggers.
Products and Recommendations
PPE recommendations by product type and application method.
Safety
Detailed Guide
Minimum PPE for every pesticide application:
Even for consumer products labeled Caution, always wear: chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, not latex), long pants, long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes, and eye protection. This takes 60 seconds to put on and dramatically reduces your exposure.
PPE by application type:
| Application Type | Minimum PPE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-use spray (pump bottle) | Nitrile gloves, eye protection | Low risk but gloves prevent skin absorption |
| Hose-end sprayer (lawn) | Gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, closed shoes | Overspray is common - wear pants you can wash |
| Concentrate mixing | Gloves, eye protection, long sleeves, apron | Highest risk moment - concentrated product |
| Dust application | Gloves, N95 dust mask, eye protection | Inhalation is the primary risk with dusts |
| Granular spreader | Gloves, closed shoes | Wash hands thoroughly after |
| Aerosol fogger/bomb | NONE during application - leave the building | Re-enter only after time specified on label |
After application:
Remove all PPE outside or in a utility area - do not walk through the house in contaminated clothing. Wash hands and face thoroughly with soap and water. Shower if you applied liquid products. Wash application clothing separately from family laundry, in hot water.
Re-entry intervals (REI):
Every pesticide label specifies how long to keep people and pets away from treated areas. For most consumer products, this is until the spray dries (typically 1-4 hours). For professional products, REIs can be 4-24 hours. For fumigation, re-entry may require 24-72 hours plus air monitoring. NEVER re-enter early - this is when most accidental exposures occur.
Pet safety during treatment:
Remove pets (including fish tanks - cover or remove) before any indoor treatment. For outdoor treatments, keep pets off treated areas until the product has dried and been watered in (for granulars) or until the REI has passed. Cats are especially sensitive - their grooming behavior means they ingest anything on their paws.
Spill response:
For small liquid spills: absorb with cat litter, sawdust, or paper towels. Place in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of with household hazardous waste. For large spills or spills near waterways: call your state environmental agency spill hotline. Do not wash pesticide spills into storm drains - they flow directly to streams and rivers.
Storage:
Store all pesticides in their original labeled containers (never transfer to food containers), in a locked cabinet or shelf, away from food and pet food, out of reach of children, and in a cool dry location. Heat and freezing can degrade products and damage containers.