Pigs to Pork
NUTRITION
Cooperative Extension Service PURDUE UNIVERSITY Lafayette, Indiana
Proper Use of Insecticides by the Swine Producer
D. R. Zimmerman, Animal Sciences Department
AS-333 Sept., 1965
The use of insecticides in hog operations is almost a must if one is to do a superior job of swine production. They should be used as a supplement to good management procedures; not as a substitute. In this way, insecticide use can be kept to a minimum.
Use only those insecticides that are registered with the USDA. Follow recommendations as described in your Cooperative Extension publications. The recommended insecticides are those that have been found to be most satisfactory for this locality. Source materials regarding registered insecticides and their proper use in swine production are listed at the end of this publication.
Read and follow the prescribed directions on the insecticide label. Misuse can be hazardous to man, livestock and wildlife. Even if misuse causes no obvious toxicity, excessive residues may remain in the pork making it a contaminated product, unfit for human consumption.
Examples of the ease with which some of the insecticides produce persistent residues in the meat of livestock are numerous and well substantiated.
Observe the required waiting period between the date of last application of insecticide and slaughter of the hogs. These waiting periods are based on research findings. They reflect the period necessary for
loss of potentially harmful residues from the animal's body.
To comply with prescribed waiting periods good records of insecticide usage must be kept. The records should identify the animals treated, the insecticide used, the quantity used and the date applied.
Store the insecticides in such a manner that children cannot reach them. Store them where animals, feed and water cannot be accidently contaminated. The insecticides should be kept under lock and key.
Empty insecticide containers should be kept until the animals have been marketed to insure the availability of the label instructions. They should then be disposed of in such a way that residues of insecticide will not contaminate water supplies or feed. The USDA recommends the following: Empty pesticide bags and cardboard containers should be burned and the ashes buried in an isolated place where they will not contaminate water supplies. The smoke should not be inhaled. Glass and metal containers should be broken or crushed and buried in an isolated place where they will not contaminate water supplies. Insecticide containers should never be reused for other purposes !
Summary
1	Use only specifically recommended insecticides.
2	Use only after reading (and studying!) the label.