Tank Mixing Pesticides for Crop Production or Vegetable Management

Before you mix products, make sure that each product is registered for the intended use. Always check the product labels for the recommended crops, pests, rates, timing and adjuvants and follow all the label directions on each product used in the tank mix. Make sure that you:

· use an adjuvant only when directed by one of the labels
· apply at the recommended growth stage of the pests and crops on each label and that these are compatible
· follow the directions on the label that best protects you and the environment, such as using the largest buffer zone, longest re-entry and pre-harvest intervals and wearing the most protective clothing and personal protective equipment
· don’t mix pesticides if one of the labels states not to mix them

If you mix pesticides that do not have tank mixing directions on one of the labels, there is no guarantee that the tank mix will work. Severe problems could result, including:

· increased hazards to you, the applicator.
· a chemical reaction occurring between the pesticides. The toxicity of the mixture may be reduced or it may increase.
· reduced pest control. This is called an antagonistic reaction.
· unacceptable residues on the crop.

When compatible products are tank mixed, the effectiveness of the mixture could be greater than either of the products alone. This is called a synergistic reaction.

If you mix products that do not have tank mixing directions, you are responsible for what happens. If unsafe conditions result from using the mix, you may be prosecuted under the Pest Control Products Act.

Before you mix products, make sure they are physically compatible. Test them by mixing a sample ahead of time. Do not experiment with an untested tank mix on the day of application. Pesticides are considered compatible if they mix well in the spray tank and work effectively together. Do not use pesticides together if you see separation, coagulation, gelling or curdling when they are mixed. These pesticides are not compatible. Mixing two pesticides which are incompatible is costly and time consuming. Check the label for information about compatible products.

Restricted Entry Intervals

Restricted Entry Interval (REI) is the period of time after a pesticide has been applied that agricultural workers or anyone else must not do hand labour tasks in treated areas. The REI allows the pesticide residues and vapours to dissipate to safe levels for work to be done. Hand labour tasks involve substantial worker contact with treated surfaces such as plants, plant parts or soil. Examples of these activities include: · harvesting, detasseling, thinning, weeding, scouting, planting, mowing, roguing, and packing produce into containers in the field or greenhouse. You can only do these tasks after the Restricted Entry Interval has ended.

Emergency Numbers

Emergency Numbers 9-1-1 Spills Action Centre: 1-800-268-6060 Ontario Poison Centre: 1-800-268-9017 Transport Emergencies: *666 (cell) 1-888-CANUTEC 1-888-226-8832 Farm Information Contact Person: Phone: 9-1-1 Address: Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks: - Regional Office: - District Office: Pesticide Vendor: Insurance Agent: Pest Management Regulatory Agency: 1-800-267-6315 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: 1-877-424-1300 Ontario Pesticide Education Program www.opep.ca 1-800-652-8573

Water Soluble Packages

Water Soluble Packages (WSP) are designed to reduce exposure during mixing and loading. However, the Agricultural Handlers Exposure Task Force (AHETF) found that ► users were more exposed when using Water Soluble Packages than Wettable Powders. Exposure occurred when users sprayed high pressure water on the packets and/or intentionally broke the packets to help them dissolve. Use Water Soluble Packages properly to reduce exposure. Follow these handling and mixing instructions developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the AHETF. Handling Instructions • Mix in the spray tank only. • Keep the WSP intact. Do not cut or puncture the WSP. Do not break or release the contents. • Keep the WSP in the outer packaging until just before use. • Keep the WSP dry until adding it to the spray tank. • Reseal the WSP in its outer packaging to protect any unused WSP(S). • Handle with dry gloves. If the WSP tears or ruptures before or

Ontario Pesticide Education Program

Offering Certification and Training in Pesticide Safety Since 1987 The Ontario Pesticide Education Program certifies and trains Ontario’s farmers and pesticide vendors in pesticide safety. Certification and training through the Ontario Pesticide Education Program is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Visit the Ontario Pesticide Education Program’s website for information about our courses. Call 1-800-652-8573 or e-mail us at rcopep@uoguelph.ca . Farmers Under Regulation 63/09 of the Pesticides Act, Ontario farmers must be certified to buy and use Class B or C pesticides on their farms or woodlots. Certified Farmers must ensure that pesticides are purchased, used, stored, transported and disposed of according to Regulation 63/09. To become certified, a farmer must successfully complete the Grower Pesticide Safety Course . Farmer Assistants Farmer Assistants who use Class B or C pesticides on farms must be trained and, w

Selling Class D Pesticides

Selling Class D Pesticides There are requirements that vendors must follow for the sale of Class D pesticides. The requirements depend on the product’s active ingredients and labelled uses. There are Class D products that can be sold to anyone. These products have: all their active ingredients on the Allowable List , namely the List of Active Ingredients Authorized for Cosmetic Uses. These are low risk pesticides or biopesticides that can be used to manage weeds, insects or other pests affecting lawns and gardens around the home ; or all their uses are allowed in Ontario, that is, there are no banned cosmetic uses on the label. Examples include ant control products used inside a home or repellants for mosquitoes and biting flies. Certain Class D products are Controlled Sales pesticides. Controlled Sales pesticides are pesticides that are used in, on or over land and: have directions for use that are both allowed and not allowed by the cosmetic ban, or have directions

Pesticide Safety for Farmer Assistants

Farmer Assistants who use Class B or C pesticides on farms must be trained. Certified Farmers are responsible for all pesticide use and handling on their farms including the use and handling of Class B or C pesticides by Farmer Assistants supervised by Certified Farmers. Farmer Assistants could be family members, farm employees or seasonal workers. Farmer Assistants must: Be 16 years of age or older Work on a farm under the supervision of a Certified Farmer have basic pesticide safety training recognized by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks before they handle or use Class 2 or 3 pesticides re-train every 5 years. There are two ways for Farmer Assistants to get the training they need. They can: participate in a Grower Pesticide Safety Course (no test required), or participate in a training session presented by an On-Farm Instructor . On-Farm Instructors The Ontario Pesticide Education Program offers half day sessions (fee of $65) for Certifi

Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: Pesticide Specialist Offices

Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks: Pesticides Specialist Offices Region Field Offices Telephone Central 5775 Yonge St, 8th Floor Toronto M2M 4J1 1-800-810-8048 416-326-6700 West-Central Ontario Gov't. Bldg., 119 King St. W., 12 th Flr Hamilton L8P 4Y7 1-800-668-4557 905-521-7640 Eastern 1259 Gardiners Road, Unit 3 Kingston K7P 3J6 1-800-267-0974 613-549-4000 Southwestern 733 Exeter Rd., London N6E 1L3 1-800-265-7672 519-873-5000 Northern 199 Larch Street, Suite 1201 Sudbury P3E 5P9 1-800-890-8516 705-564-3237 Ontario Gov’t Bldg., 435 James St. South Suite 331, 3 rd Floor Thunder Bay P7E 6S7 1-800-875-7772 807-475-1205 Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch Pesticides Section 40 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto

Ontario Pesticide Education Program

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