Herbicide Safety and Avoiding Resistance

Herbicides save labour but must be used carefully.

Safety

Wear gloves, long sleeves, boots and a mask or goggles when mixing and spraying. Mix in a ventilated place away from water sources, never reuse containers for food or water, and keep a record of products, dates and rates.

Avoid resistance

• Rotate or combine modes of action instead of using one product repeatedly.
• Use the full label rate at the right weed stage; low doses select survivors.
• Do not rely on herbicide alone: add hoeing, crop rotation and clean seed.
• Clean equipment between fields so resistant seed does not spread.

Protect neighbours

Check wind before spraying; drift can damage nearby crops and gardens.