2 MD&C. PUB. 52 6, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



INTRODUCTION 



Adequate food supplies have an essential place in the successful 

 conduct of the war. Insects should not be permitted to reduce the 

 increased yields required to supply necessary food. The national 

 effort to increase food production necessitates that those who serve 

 as advisers in the Victory Garden programs be informed on the 

 sources, supplies, and uses of the chemicals, or insecticides, needed to 

 control insect pests. This publication has been prepared for this 

 purpose. It will be useful, also, to market gardeners, fruit growers, 

 nurserymen, florists, and others concerned with the control of insects 

 by insecticides. 



Specifically, this publication deals with the nature of the chemicals 

 more commonly used to control insects on fruits, vegetables, and 

 flowering plants, and gives information on how to prepare such 

 insecticides for use against many common pests. A section is devoted 

 to a discussion of spraying and dusting equipment. 



Most insecticides will become scarce as stocks are depleted and re- 

 placement becomes difficult. It is not only thrifty, but patriotic as 

 well, to use them carefully. Careful application of minimum 

 amounts will do a better job than careless use of large quantities. 



The aim should be to mix the material thoroughly and apply it as 

 a light, even coating to the parts of the plant affected by the insect. 

 Applying the material to the parts affected saves material and insures 

 effective control of the pest. 



For more specific information on the control of any pest, the 

 entomological publications of the State or Federal Government, or a 

 State or Federal entomologist, or an entomologist of some other 

 organization, should be consulted. If the pest is not identified, pre- 

 served or dead specimens of the insect or a description of its injury 

 should accompany the request for information on control. 



PRECAUTIONS IN USING INSECTICIDES 



Most chemicals used as insecticides are poisonous to man and 

 other animals and should be handled accordingly. When mixing 

 or applying insecticides, take extreme care to keep the materials 

 out of the mouth and eyes and away from tender parts of the 

 body. When spraying or dusting operations are long and con- 

 tinuous, keep the body well covered, even in the warmest weather, 

 and wear goggles to protect the eyes. 



Small quantities of spraying or dusting materials which come in 

 contact with the hands or body will be of little consequence, but 

 accumulations of such materials resulting from long exposure are 

 harmful. 



In any event, wash the face and hands thoroughly after using 

 any insecticide. After long exposure it should be the practice to 

 take a bath and change the clothes, and this should be done both 

 at noon and after the day's work. Residues should not be per- 

 mitted to accumulate on clothing. To avoid this, the clothing 

 used in spraying operations should be washed frequently. 



Containers in which insecticides are stored should be plainly 

 marked "Poison" and the date of purchase shown. They should 

 be kept tightly closed and in a specially selected place, preferably 



