The label will tell you how much to use, how to mix and apply it and the safety precautions that must be taken, such as wearing protective clothing. Some pesticides also have restrictions for use on certain plants and at certain temperatures that, if not followed, might cause the plants damage rather than helping them. When you need a pesticide, another thing the label can do is to help you choose one that will be effective against your pest while being the safest and least toxic available. Find one that lists your pest. Then check the label of the pesticide container for one of three words.
Caution denotes the least toxic category of pesticides.
Warning appears on the label of the next most toxic category, and Danger is on the label of the most toxic category of pesticides. Another part of your decision is to choose the right formulation of the pesticide. Different types of pests are controlled better with different types of treatments, such as baits, sprays or granules. Some insecticide formulations are more effective on particular pests than others, and you need to choose the right one. Always buy the smallest available container of a pesticide, so you will use it up faster.