Pesticide Safety Telephone Numbers Nonemergency Telephone Numbers National Pesticide Information Center (800) 858-7378 Chemical Referral Center (weekdays only) (800) 262-8200 Referrals to manufacturers on health and safety related to chemicals Emergency Telephone Numbers The Poison Center (800) 222-1222 For aid in human poisoning cases Pesticide Accident Hotline (CHEMTREC) (800) 424-9300 For help involving spills, leaks, fires Nebraska State Patrol (800) 525-5555 To report chemical spills or releases To report motor vehicle accidents Find more pesticide educational information at Pesticide Education Resources http://PestEd.unl.edu Printed on recycled paper with minimum 10% postconsumer waste, using agribased inks. The information given in this publication is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension is implied. Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. © 2005-2009, the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. ii Fumigation for the Commercial/Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator (Category 11) Third Edition, 2011 Editor: Technical and Contributing Consultants Cont: Erin Bauer James Campbell, PhD Extension Associate Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS, GMPRC Pesticide Safety Education Program Department of Entomology University of Nebraska–Lincoln Adjunct Associate Professor Kansas State University Cover Art and Design: Manhattan, KS Renee Lanik Jim Criswell, PhD Specialist Professor and Extension Pesticide Coordinator Communications and Information Technology Oklahoma State University University of Nebraska–Lincoln Stillwater, OK Layout and Formatting: Marv Evert Evert Pest Management, Inc. Vicki Schroeder Lincoln, NE Office Associate Pesticide Safety Education Program University of Nebraska–Lincoln James Kalisch Extension Associate Chapter Authors: Department of Entomology University of Nebraska–Lincoln Buzz Vance Nebraska Department of Agriculture Clyde Ogg (Chapter 9) Extension Educator Pesticide Safety Education Program Technical and Contributing Consultants: University of Nebraska–Lincoln Frank Arthur, PhD USDA-ARS, GMPRC Manhattan, KS iii Preface This is the third edition of Fumigation Pest Control for the Commercial/Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator. This manual provides information for the Nebraska commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicator wishing to become certified in the Fumigation Control category, number 11. To become a certified applicator in this cat- egory, a candidate must pass both a general standards exam (information covered in this exam can be found in the General Standards materials) and an examination based primarily on the material presented in this manual. These tests are administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). Study packets can be pur- chased from the Pesticide Education Office, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Web site: http://pested.unl.edu. Acknowledgments I’d like to thank James Campbell and Frank Arthur, USDA-ARS, GMPRC in Manhattan, KS, Jim Criswell from Oklahoma State University, Marv Evert from Pest management, Inc., and my University of Nebraska–Lincoln colleagues Clyde Ogg and Leah Sandall, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, and James Kalisch, Depart- ment of Entomology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln for their critical reviews of this training manual. I would also like to thank Buzz Vance, Nebraska Department of Agriculture for providing us with a new chapter on pesticide laws and regulations. Special thanks go to Renee Lanik, Communications and Information Technol- ogy, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, for providing the cover artwork and design, Vicki Schroeder, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, for her work in formatting and layout of the manual, and regional colleagues Betsy Buffington, Iowa State University, Chuck Eckermann, Iowa Department of Agriculture, and Dick Wiechman, EPA for their comments and suggestions. The information presented here has been funded wholly or in part by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency under assis- tance agreement BG-99733111 to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. It has not been subjected to the Agency’s product and admin- istrative review and therefore might not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency; no official endorsement should be inferred. iv Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction ................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2 - Pest Identification and Biology .................................................. 3 Chapter 3 - Pest Management Options ........................................................ 21 Chapter 4 - Characteristics and Effects of Fumigants ................................. 29 Chapter 5 - Methods of Fumigation .............................................................. 37 Chapter 6 - Public, Personal and Environmental Safety .............................. 55 Chapter 7 - Safety Equipment ........................................................................ 67 Chapter 8 - Common Fumigants .................................................................... 77 Chapter 9 - Pesticide Laws and Regulations ................................................ 89 References ...................................................................................................... 105 Appendix: Safety Sample Checklists ............................................................. 107 v How to Pass the Exam This training manual has been developed to prepare you for successfully passing the Pesticide Certification Exam for the Fumigation (11) category. This manual includes information that you as the pesticide applicator should know and use when fumigating in and around stored grain facilities. At the beginning of each chapter, you will notice a set of learning objectives. Questions on the certification exam will be based on these learning objectives. To successfully pass the certification exam: • Read and understand the learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter. The learning objectives de- scribe what you should be able to do after reading the chapter. • Read the chapter in detail, keeping in mind the learning objectives as you read. a. After reading the chapter, return to the learning objectives and see if you can respond to each one of them. If you have difficulty responding to a learning objective, locate the section of the chapter that discusses that particular objective. Re-read that section of the chapter and then see if you can respond to the learning objective. Continue this for other learning objectives that gave you difficulty. b. Once you are able to respond to all of the learning objectives, you will be prepared to take and successfully pass the certification exam. Understanding and being able to respond to the learning objectives is the key to passing the exam! vi Chapter 1 Introduction Learning Objectives these chemicals to treat grain bins, boxcars and other railcars, and other stored grain facilities. Fumiga- After studying this chapter, you should be able to: tion is one of the quickest and most effective ways to eliminate pests from stored grain. • Explain what fumigants are and how they work. • List what questions should be asked before Unfortunately, fumigants are some of the most toxic deciding to fumigate. pesticides in the world. Even small amounts can kill non-target insects, animals and people. Fumigants Although they are highly toxic, fumigants are often are often fast acting, odorless and invisible. Many the best and only way to control pests in raw agri- are highly flammable. For these reasons, fumigators cultural commodities. By reading this chapter, you require more training and skill than do many other will learn what fumigants are and how they work. pest control operators. Skill and training are critical This chapter will outline the scope and purpose of for safe application. this manual, and what is included in each chapter. What Is a Fumigant? Terms to Know A fumigant is a chemical that, when released as a gas or vapor, diffuses throughout enclosed areas or Aeration – The process of replacing fumigant-con- penetrates objects in concentrations that are lethal taining air or water with fresh air and/or water that to pest organisms. Fumigants may be odorless, and contains little or no fumigant. Aeration must follow usually cannot be seen. all fumigation operations. Fumigants are different than aerosols (such as a Aerosol – Solid or liquid particles suspended in air smoke, cloud, fog, or mist), which are solid or liquid (such as smoke, fog, or mist). particles suspended in air. Fumigant gases or vapors consist of molecules that will mix with the sur- Commodities – Items produced for trade or com- rounding air. Because the molecules are very small merce. (compared to particles in aerosols), fumigants can Fumigant – A pesticide that is a gas, or forms a gas, spread throughout a space, penetrate into the mate- when applied. In a high enough concentration, this rial being fumigated, and diffuse away afterward. gas (vapor) has pesticidal action. Aerosols cannot