About this video

• Video Title: NE Core 4-5 First Draft
• Channel: Pest CEUs
• Speakers: Sean Reeves
• Duration: 01:04:39

Overview

This video, presented by Sean Reeves of American Pest CEUs, covers Chapters 4 and 5 of the Northeast Core Manual, focusing on pesticide formulations and the risks associated with pesticide use. It explains the importance of inert ingredients, different types of pesticide names, various formulation types (liquids, dry, baits, aerosols, etc.), the role of adjuvants, and the concepts of toxicity, exposure, and risk. The video aims to educate pest management professionals on how to choose appropriate formulations and understand the factors influencing pesticide risk.

Key takeaways

• Pesticide Formulations: Pesticide products contain active ingredients (which control pests) and inert ingredients (which make the product usable). The combination is called a formulation, and its properties determine how it is handled, applied, and its potential risks.
• Pesticide Names: Understanding the difference between trade names (brand names), chemical names (complex identifiers of active ingredients), and common names (shorter, standardized names for active ingredients) is crucial to avoid confusion and select the correct product.
• Types of Formulations: The video details various formulations, including liquids (EC, solutions), dry (WP, SP, granules), baits, aerosols, and fumigants, outlining their advantages, disadvantages, and typical uses.
• Adjuvants: These are chemicals added to pesticide formulations or spray tanks to improve mixing, application, or performance. They do not have pesticidal properties themselves but can enhance effectiveness by improving wetting, spreading, adhesion, and reducing drift.
• Risk vs. Toxicity: Toxicity is a pesticide's inherent ability to cause harm, while risk is the potential to cause harm, which is influenced by both toxicity and exposure. Minimizing exposure is key to managing risk, even with highly toxic substances.
• Routes of Exposure: Pesticides can enter the body through the skin (dermal), eyes, inhalation, or by swallowing (oral). Dermal exposure is the most common. Understanding these routes is critical for applying appropriate personal protective measures.
• Factors Influencing Risk: Individual factors like weight, age, gender, health, and environmental exposures can influence a person's susceptibility to pesticide harm.

Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) and Wettable Powders (WP) are two common types of pesticide formulations with distinct characteristics:

Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC):

• Description: EC formulations contain one or more petroleum-based solvents and an emulsifying agent. When mixed with water, they form an emulsion, giving them a milky appearance.
• Pros:
  • Relatively easy to handle, transport, and store.
  • Require little agitation in the spray tank.
  • Not abrasive, so they don't typically plug screens or nozzles or cause significant wear on equipment.
  • Leave little visible residue on treated surfaces.
  • Versatile and used in many pest control areas.
• Cons:
  • The petroleum solvents can be flammable and corrosive to some materials (rubber, plastic).
  • Easily absorbed through the skin due to high active ingredient concentration and solvent base.
  • The strong odor can be unpleasant.
  • High concentration of active ingredient makes it easy to overdose or underdose due to mixing or calibration errors.

Wettable Powders (WP):

• Description: WPs are dry, finely ground formulations that look like dust but are designed to be mixed with water for application as a spray. They require constant agitation to keep the particles suspended.
• Pros:
  • Easy to store, handle, and transport.
  • Excellent residual activity.
  • Less likely than ECs to harm treated plants, animals, or surfaces.
  • Absorbed by skin and eyes less quickly than liquid formulations.
  • Widely used for many pest problems and with various spray equipment.
• Cons:
  • Pose a greater inhalation hazard during mixing and handling.
  • Can be difficult to mix in hard, alkaline water.
  • Settle out quickly without constant agitation.
  • Abrasive to pumps and nozzles, causing wear and potentially clogging them.
  • May leave visible residue on treated surfaces.

Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) and Wettable Powders (WP) are two common types of pesticide formulations with distinct characteristics:

Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC):

• Description: EC formulations contain one or more petroleum-based solvents and an emulsifying agent. When mixed with water, they form an emulsion, giving them a milky appearance.
• Pros:
  • Relatively easy to handle, transport, and store.
  • Require little agitation in the spray tank.
  • Not abrasive, so they don't typically plug screens or nozzles or cause significant wear on equipment.
  • Leave little visible residue on treated surfaces.
  • Versatile and used in many pest control areas.
• Cons:
  • The petroleum solvents can be flammable and corrosive to some materials (rubber, plastic).
  • Easily absorbed through the skin due to high active ingredient concentration and solvent base.
  • The strong odor can be unpleasant.
  • High concentration of active ingredient makes it easy to overdose or underdose due to mixing or calibration errors.

Wettable Powders (WP):

• Description: WPs are dry, finely ground formulations that look like dust but are designed to be mixed with water for application as a spray. They require constant agitation to keep the particles suspended.
• Pros:
  • Easy to store, handle, and transport.
  • Excellent residual activity.
  • Less likely than ECs to harm treated plants, animals, or surfaces.
  • Absorbed by skin and eyes less quickly than liquid formulations.
  • Widely used for many pest problems and with various spray equipment.
• Cons:
  • Pose a greater inhalation hazard during mixing and handling.
  • Can be difficult to mix in hard, alkaline water.
  • Settle out quickly without constant agitation.
  • Abrasive to pumps and nozzles, causing wear and potentially clogging them.
  • May leave visible residue on treated surfaces.

The three types of pesticide names are:

1. Trade Brand or Product Name: This is the name a manufacturer uses to advertise and sell its product (e.g., "Deep Woods Off"). It's what you typically see prominently displayed on the product's packaging.
2. Chemical Name: This name identifies the chemical structure of the active ingredient. It is usually very complex and is listed in the ingredient statement on the pesticide label.
3. Common Name: Because chemical names are often too complex for everyday use, most active ingredients are given a shorter, unique common name that is accepted by regulatory agencies like the EPA. This name is also found in the ingredient statement.

It is important to be aware of these different names because:

• Avoiding Confusion: A single active ingredient can be sold under many different trade names, and different products can have similar trade names even if they contain different active ingredients. Relying solely on a trade name or common name can lead to using the wrong product.
• Understanding Product Differences: The same active ingredient can be formulated into different products with varying amounts of the active ingredient, different inert ingredients, or different intended uses. Each of these factors can affect the risks and precautions needed.
• Ensuring Correct Application: Knowing the common name helps identify the active ingredient, which is crucial for understanding its properties, potential hazards, and appropriate use. This allows for informed decisions about selecting the best formulation for a specific pest situation and ensuring safety.