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Proper Winter Pesticide Storage Helps make Home Safe
Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences

Winter has come, the garden is dormant and the tools are put away. But one more crucial job remains -- organizing and properly storing unused pesticides, says a gardening expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Proper storage is important for protecting the health of homeowners and their families," says J. Robert Nuss, professor of ornamental horticulture. "But storing pesticides correctly also protects the environment and preserves the quality of the chemicals."

Nuss urges homeowners to always store pesticides in their original container, making sure the product label is legible. He also suggests maintaining a storage inventory to help keep track of unused pesticides.

"Keeping an inventory helps you plan for the next growing season as well," Nuss says. "For the inventory, write down the product name, active ingredients, date of purchase, date of storage and volume stored."

Nuss recommends that homeowners store pesticides in a secure, well-ventilated dry area, protected from heat and cold. "There should be enough room to keep fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides and herbicides separated," Nuss says. "The storage area should be enclosed so leaks or spills can be contained or cleaned without affecting the area's soil or water quality."

Nuss outlines several other elements that must be addressed when establishing a home storage area.

-- Ventilation. Proper lighting and ventilation are a must for human health, Nuss says. "Ventilation also is important to prevent volatile chemicals from contaminating other materials in storage," he adds. "Some lawn chemicals are volatile enough to be absorbed by garden fertilizers."

-- Flammable liquids. Nuss emphasizes that any flammable liquids should be stored outside living areas and away from ignition sources.

-- Dampness. Dampness reduces the shelf life of many chemicals and can cause deterioration of metal or paper containers. "All fertilizer products are combinations of chemical salts that attract moisture," Nuss explains. "I've seen some products absorb enough moisture during winter storage to create a thick syrup in the spring."

-- Temperature extremes. Intense summer heat increases the volatility of chemicals, particularly herbicides. Freezing temperatures can cause ruptures in some types of containers. "Freezing also can alter the chemical quality of liquid products, reducing their effectiveness," Nuss says. "Look for directions on the package label for special storage temperatures."

-- Flooding. Nuss says pesticides should be stored well off the floor to prevent pesticide contamination if flooding should occur due to heavy rains or spring snowmelt.

Nuss also recommends that homeowners keep cleaning supplies near the storage facility or area. At minimum, these supplies should include rubber gloves, absorbents such as kitty litter or paper towels and a container to seal the used clean-up materials.