2 MISC. PUB. 526, 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 on production 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. 
Tt will be useful, also, to market gardeners, fruit growers, nursery- 
men, 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 usin 
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 
