When it is necessary to use insecticides to protect the garden, use them wisely and safely.

The following tips will help you make better use of insecticides.

• Inspect the entire garden at least weekly to monitor insect numbers and activity. Pay particular attention to underside of leaves where mites, whiteflies, aphids and insect eggs occur. If treatments are applied when an infestation first starts, insect numbers can be maintained at lower levels much more easily, and with smaller amounts of chemicals.
  
  

• Apply insecticides to all plant surfaces so an insect anywhere on the plant will be exposed to a lethal amount of the chemical. Do not apply insecticides to wilted plants or during the hottest part of the day. Apply dusts only when the wind is calm and plants are dry. Sprays should be applied when the wind is no more than 5 to 10 miles per hour. Retreatment may be necessary after a rain.

• Apply insecticides only at recommended dosages. Increased amounts can be dangerous, cause plant damage and leave harmful residues without improving insect control.
  
  

• The length of effective control with insecticides varies widely. The longevity of toxic properties varies primarily with the product, formulation, water, pH and environmental conditions. Temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight affect insecticides. The greater the extremes, the sooner the insecticides are detoxified.
  
  

• Protection Agency between treating a crop and harvesting that crop varies with the insecticide and the crop. This information is posted on the pesticide label to ensure that any residues will be within established tolerances at harvest time.
  
  

• Always read and follow mixing and application instructions on the insecticide label for-safe and effective insect control.
  
  

• Some synthetic organic materials are actually less toxic and more efficient than some natural insecticides. Because a material is a natural pesticide, it does not necessarily follow that it is not toxic to man or harmful to the environment if improperly used.
  
  

• In most situations it is helpful to use several control techniques to reduce insect pest populations to low enough levels that insecticides are not required, or are needed only sparingly. With reduced insecticide use, biological control agents can become more effective, insecticide costs will be saved, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that few, if any, poisons were applied to your edible crops.