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Pesticide Information Office

The University of Florida's Pesticide Information and Education Program provides information, educational programs, and materials to:

  • Persons who use pesticides as a part of their livelihood
  • Consumers with questions about use and impact of pesticides in their daily lives
  • Faculty and students
  • Decision makers, such as local, state, and federal government regulators and legislators

Editorial Team

RECENT & REVISED PUBLICATIONS

Integrated pest management goes hand-in-hand with safety

PI297/PI297by Emily C. KrausMarch 12th, 2024This publication is geared toward pest management specialists, certified pesticide applicators, and homeowners who are managing indoor and outdoor pests. It provides a broad definition of a pest and describes integrated pest management (IPM) and pest management strategies. As opposed to other EDIS which are specific to management areas (ex: landscape, turf, vegetable) this publication can be used as a basis for all sectors of pest management. The publication also emphasizes using IPM to reduce the development of pesticide resistance and emphasizes how each aspect of IPM contributes to personal and environmental safety.Critical Issue: Natural Resources and Environment

Gloves for Pesticide Applicators

PI296/PI296by Brett W. BultemeierOctober 24th, 2023The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed by pesticide labels is an important part of compliance with pesticide use and for reducing the risk of exposure. The primary risk for exposure to pesticides is the hands and forearms, and chemical-resistant gloves are the primary way to reduce that risk. This publication discusses the type of gloves available, how to select which glove, how to clean and maintain them, as well as other important considerations to most effectively utilize this important piece of PPE.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems

Paraquat Training, Licensing, and Application Requirements

PI295/PI295by Brett W. BultemeierJuly 7th, 2023Paraquat is unique among pesticides in that it requires all who use it to be licensed. After a pesticide license is attained additional training is required on a 3 year basis. Furthermore, there are specific packaging and equipment requirements to legally use this product. This document serves to outline these requirements and explain how to fulfill them for pesticide applicators in Florida and around the country. Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems

How to Obtain an Aldicarb Application Permit for Florida Cotton or Peanut

IN1388/ENY2095by Zane J. Grabau, Ethan Carter, Libbie Johnson, Jay Ferrell, Dale Dubberly, and Tamara JamesDecember 20th, 2022This publication is intended to guide growers through the process of applying for a free permit to use aldicarb, an insecticide/nematicide subject to particular restrictions because of its highly toxic nature and concerns about groundwater contamination when it is improperly applied. Aldicarb is currently labeled only for cotton and peanut in Florida. It is a restricted-use pesticide; thus applicators must have a current and valid private or commercial Florida pesticide applicator’s license with a row crop category designation and must obtain an aldicarb permit from Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services before applying this product in Florida. This publication provides a guide to the permit application process for aldicarb.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems

Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Responsibilities and Compliance

PI294/PI294by Emily Kraus and Brett BultemeierOctober 3rd, 2022The purpose of this new 10-page publication of the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office is to assist Extension agents and agricultural stakeholders themselves to understand what the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is, what the individual requirements are for different roles, and overall, how to comply with the requirements of WPS. This document is a highly condensed version of the law and is intended to help agents and stakeholders find the full list of requirements in a much larger, more difficult-to-digest document from the EPA. Written by Emily Kraus and Brett Bultemeier.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems