Effective, low risk solutions for Pacific Northwest pests and weeds

The Label is the Law

ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.

READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.

• Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
• Use a magnifying glass for small print.
• Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
• Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
• The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.

Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants

• Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
• Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
• Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
• Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.

Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.

• Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
• Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
• Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.

Protect Pollinators

• Apply in the early morning or evening when bees are less active.
• Kill weeds before they flower. Avoid spraying flowering plants.
• Do not spray on bees or insects.

Protect Plants You Want to Keep

• Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
• Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
• Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.

Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.

• Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
• Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
• Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
• Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.

Don’t Spray into Water

• It’s illegal to apply herbicides in a stream or slow moving/wetland pool.
• You need a product registered for aquatic areas. This includes waterways, ditches, drains, and other places where water collects.

Storage & Disposal

• Store in a secure area away from children.
• Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
• Never pour down any drain or waterway.
• Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.

Call  1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.

For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call  503-234-3000, email   or visit Metro’s website  

More about:

• Storage
• Empty containers
• Transport & disposal