1. Follow Good Farm Practice (GFP)
Use all non-pesticide tools that reduce pest attacks. These include proper land preparation, planting time, resistant varieties, drainage, field sanitation, crop rotation, regular field checks. These help avoid pest problems thereby reducing the need to use pesticides.
2. Know the problem before you treat
Find out if the problem is caused by a pest and if so, which pest. If a pesticide is needed, select the most ecologically friendly one that will control the pest.
3. Choose carefully!
If a pesticide is needed, choose one that is safe to man and it will control the pest. Some pesticides remain on plants longer than others : Choose one that allows enough time after spraying to reap without leaving harmful residues on produce.
4. Use properly
Apply (spray) at the right time:
Spray according to pest group.
Spraying in cycles (e.g every 7 days) often wastes expensive chemicals and promotes pest resistance, more serious attacks, unnecessary exposure to pesticides, waste of time, effort and money.
Avoid spraying during hot, sunny periods, high winds or when leaves are wet.
Apply sprays when the pest is most easily killed. For insects/mites/weeds, younger stages generally. For fungus, before it penetrates the plant or the earliest time after.
Spray in later evenings where possible. Many insects and other living things which help to kill pests are less active at this time. Spraying at this time will help protect them from pesticides.
Source: RADA website
