📋 Steps
1
Signal word — first thing to check
DANGER/PELIGRO = high toxicity (Toxicity Category I). WARNING/ADVERTENCIA = moderate (II). CAUTION/PRECAUCION = low (III and IV). This single word tells you the required level of precaution. Products without a signal word have the lowest toxicity rating.
2
Active ingredient and concentration
The active ingredient (AI) is the chemical doing the work. The concentration is what you're paying for. Two products with the same AI at the same concentration are functionally identical — brand name doesn't matter. Check both before purchasing to avoid paying for a premium brand when a generic equivalent exists.
3
Pests and use sites — legal and practical
The label lists specific pests and use sites where the product is legally registered. Applying a product to an unlisted pest or site is a federal FIFRA violation — not just suboptimal. Check that your specific pest AND your specific site (residential exterior, food garden, etc.) are both listed.
4
Application rate — don't guess
The label specifies exactly how much product per unit area or volume of water. Under-applying wastes money and may be ineffective. Over-applying wastes product, may damage plants, and creates environmental risk. Measure. Use the Mixing Calculator for liquid concentrates.
5
Re-entry interval (REI) and pre-harvest interval (PHI)
REI: how long to stay out of treated areas after application. PHI (for food gardens only): minimum days between last application and harvest. These are legally binding safety requirements, not suggestions.
6
Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
The PPE section specifies minimum required protection during mixing and application. 'Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants' is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. Use the minimum specified — the label has already determined what's adequate for the product's toxicity profile.
💡 Tips
- The label supersedes all other information including websites, YouTube videos, and pest control guides — including this one. When in doubt, read the label
- 'More is better' is the most common pesticide mistake — over-application rarely improves control and increases environmental exposure and cost
- Products with the same active ingredient may have very different labeled use sites — a product labeled for ornamentals may not be labeled for vegetables even if the chemistry is identical
- The CDMS label database (cdms.net) has current labels for virtually every registered pesticide product in the US — always check the current label, not an old one
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