Find answers to pesticide questions

Often people have questions about pesticides and don't know where to find answers. Sometimes they call University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and we can find the answers for them. Another great resource open seven days a week (except holidays) is the National Pesticide Information Center. The NPIC is a cooperative effort between Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have pesticide questions, they provide objective, science-based chemical, health and environmental information about pesticides.

Did you ever wonder if the pesticide that you or your neighbor was using posed risks to you and your family? Do you have questions about the safe use of pesticides to control disease-carrying pests, such as mosquitoes and ticks? Perhaps you had a termite treatment on your house and you wonder when it's safe to return? Maybe you are pregnant and want to know about using a pesticide inside your home. Do you want to find out about the safe use of insect repellents on children? Do you know how to prepare your home or yard for a pesticide treatment? Do you need to know how long you should keep your pets off a treated lawn? These are a few of the questions you can find answers to through NPIC.

Whether you live in a rural or urban setting, whether you are fighting weeds or cockroaches, whether you are a homeowner, renter or pesticide applicator, keep your children, family, pets and others safe by being smart about pesticides. No matter where you are using pesticides - home, yard or garden - you need to take the proper precautions and actions to use them safely. Talk with specialists at NPIC who can answer your questions and translate the scientific lingo about pesticides into information that helps you make informed decisions. They will help you assess the toxicity and risks. They can supply possible alternatives and learn about safe-use practices.

An important service NPIC provides is that they can identify the signs of pesticide poisoning. They can help you find emergency treatment for humans and animals. They can guide you on pesticide clean up and disposal. They also do laboratory analyses and help with pesticide incident investigations.

Contact NPIC at npic.orst.edu or call (800) 858-7378, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. E-mail, npic@ace.orst.edu. Information is also available in Spanish. Information provided to homeowners, health care providers, physicians, veterinarians, and local, state and federal agencies including school districts.

JoAnne Skelly is the Carson City/Storey County Extension educator for University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and may be reached at skellyj@unce.unr.edu or 887-2252.