The theme for this week’s article was inspired by the Calhoun All-Stars 7/8 girls softball team and their win at the state tournament.

Yours truly is the third base coach. The girls played awesome and the fans were tremendous in Cordele.

This article is not going to be a discussion on how to hit a softball or field a ball, but about a nuisance critter that at times made life irritating. It was the gnats.

While visiting with one gentleman from Moultrie, Ga., he offered to let us take a ton of gnats back with us and there would be plenty more where those came from.

Our team played a lot of games leading up to state and the entire time, it was sunscreen folks were applying at tournaments. This time it was bug repellent.

Today, I will share information from a revised publication by Gwinnett County Extension Agent, Timothy Daly on pesticide safety. The publication was originally done by Dr. Keith Delaplane, UGA Entomologist.

To start off, many citizens may not believe in the use of pesticides. That is fine. This article is not to sway a person one way or the other. The goal is to provide safety considerations when you do choose to use a pesticide.

When clients call about a pesticide suggestion it is normally because they are having a problem with a particular insect, some sort of weed, a potential disease problem on a vegetable or ornamental plant or even a nuisance rodent.

A pesticide is a product that can be used to reduce a particular issue. Pesticide products can be insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, bactericides and rodenticides.

According to the publication and one message I want you to remember when you decide to use a pesticide is for the safe, effective use of a pesticide is to follow all label directions and safety precautions.

First, decide if you need to use a pesticide in the first place. If you think you have a problem with a plant or are seeing a lot of a particular insect, you need to identify the issue first.

I know having hundreds of lady bugs in the home in the fall is not something you want, but they are beneficial insects.

I would try sweeping them up and putting them back outside along the southwest side of a building to give them protection from the winter cold. They will be a benefit in the garden the next year.

Also, some basic investigation into sanitation and caulking some areas can help with rodents and damaging insects.

When you do decide to purchase a pesticide for a particular problem, ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. A label should provide you what you need to safely use a product. It will also outline how to legally use that product along with directions.

Some common things on a label are the brand and common name along with the chemical name or what we call the active chemical ingredients. The label will tell you if the product is a dust, wettable powder or liquid.

Product labels will have signal words that discuss the potential toxicity hazards for humans with that product. Look for words like danger, warning or caution.

Products will have numerous statements such as precautionary statements. Precautionary statements may give advice on how to reduce exposure. Labels should give emergency first-aid steps. You may also see a misuse statement reminding you that it is illegal to use a product in a manner not listed on the label. This means to not use a product where you are not directed to do so.

Do not go with a rate higher than the label directions either. Going with a higher rate is wasteful and will not get the job done easier.

Many times you will need to store unused pesticides. Do not store pesticides near food, seed, animals or flammable materials. Store pesticides in a locked place so children, pets or other folks cannot get to them. Keep that storage area dry, cool, well ventilated and out of direct sunlight.

Store pesticides in the original container. NEVER STORE PESTICIDES IN OLD FOOD OR DRINK CONTAINERS. You run the risk of someone thinking the item inside is edible or drinkable. This mistake can be fatal.

Check containers regularly for leaks. Keep the storage area clean and organized. Have spill kits and even first aid kits available. It is also suggested to not store pesticides for more than two years because many will break down after this time.

For more information contact Gordon County Extension at 706-629-8685 or email gbowman@uga.edu.