AMBOY, Ind. — Right now many farmers are considering which herbicides, pesticides, seeds and other chemicals to use during planting season. But growers also need to think about proper use and storage to prevent bees, birds, humans and other animals from dying.

“Last year there were seven bee kills in Indiana related to dust on seeds (being planted),” said Chris Sommers, branch manager of Crop Production Services in Amboy.

Sommers explained most seed is now pretreated with insecticide already on it. The wind carried this insecticide-filled dust toward the bees and killed them. He also noted birds can die from eating the seed for planting, which ends up on top of the ground.

When planting and using pesticides and herbicides, “it’s best to use an integrated pest management plan and know your environment and surroundings. Note the wind direction and where the apple trees and people are. It doesn’t take much to kill an apple tree, so you have to pay attention to what you’re doing.”

Paying attention was what National Poison Prevention Week (March 17-23 this year) was all about. The third week in March is designated as such, from Public Law 87-319 signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. It was intended to raise awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings and to take preventive measures.

The Indiana Poison Center recommends storing poisonous items in original containers and locked cabinets away from young children. But Sommers added proper storage and handling mostly involves using common sense.

Following an integrated pest management plan is best; this essentially means buying only the chemicals needed for the season and identifying what pests need to be treated and the best and least hazardous chemical to treat the problem.

“Farmers also need to keep these chemicals away from animals like dogs, cats and livestock, consider runoff and be good stewards of the land,” he said.

It may seem obvious, but unintended poisoning can often be avoided by reading labels, following the directions and wearing protective gear: “Look for the ‘PPE’ on labels, which means recommended personal protective equipment to wear,” Sommers said.

For most chemicals used today, he said boots, gloves, goggles, long sleeves and aprons are needed. Using insecticides often requires respiratory protection. “With dry fertilizers, we recommend respiratory protection,” Sommers said.

Insecticides can be dangerous and are not to be abused. “They should only be used when they meet or exceed the economic threshold,” he explained.

For example if a certain bug is chewing on the crop, growers have to analyze if it pays to spray. If as much as 25 percent of the crop is gone, it can be worth spraying insecticide.

Insecticides are also hazardous because most have a reentry time. Sommers explained this the time people or animals can step on the treated area and not be harmed. This can range from 2-12 hours or more. CPS personnel applying chemicals for clients always post flags with the reentry time on them. For growers, CPS has “stacks” of inexpensive flags available.

While CPS offers soil sampling and agronomy planning (looking at fertilizer, seed, chemicals and nutrition needed), employees also will apply chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia using state-of-the-art GPS mapping.

“Anything we can do to limit the number of people touching and using (anhydrous ammonia) – it’s a better day for us,” Sommers said. “Our goal is to educate and train growers to raise successful crops to feed their families.”

He added there’s almost an art to application. “We follow the three Rs,” Sommers said. “We use the right product at the right rate at the right time to maximize your return.”

Some growers might be tempted to stock up on chemicals when the price seems right, but Sommers discourages this.

“Chemicals can separate with heat, cold or moisture,” he pointed out. “At Crop Production Services, we have heated and cooled storage and special mixers for chemicals which might separate. Most farmers don’t have access to these types of mixers.”

To help farmers only apply what they need, CPS has tanks with one-way valves, Sommers said. If growers have product left over, they can return it for a credit.

Those who have a poison emergency should call the Indiana Poison Center at 800-222-1222. While in the state, this number will connect callers with the Methodist Hospital office in Indianapolis; however, the number works nationwide, directing people to the nearest poison control center based on their phone number.

Poison prevention information also is available by calling this number.