Pesticides | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Pesticides are used to control pests like insects, rodents, weeds, and fungi. They can be found in homes, businesses, and on farms throughout Idaho. This page provides information to help you understand pesticide exposure and how to protect your health and environment.

What Is a Pesticide?

A pesticide is any substance used to:

Prevent
Destroy
Repel
Control pests

Pests can include:

Insects
Mice and other animals
Weeds and unwanted plants
Fungi
Bacteria
Viruses

Pesticides are usually made from chemicals, but some are made from natural sources like plants, animals, or bacteria.

Protection from Exposure

You can be exposed to pesticides through:

Breathing the air (inhalation)
Eating or drinking contaminated food or water (ingestion)
Touching contaminated surfaces (skin contact)

Common sources of exposure:

Using pesticides at home or on a farm
Touching contaminated soil, plants, or clothing
Eating food with pesticide residue
Drinking water that contains pesticides

Health effects depend on:

The type of pesticide
How the pesticide entered your body
The amount of pesticide

How long you were exposed

Follow these steps to reduce your risk when using pesticides:

Read and follow the instructions on the product label
Keep pesticides out of reach of children and pets
Use gloves, masks, and protective clothing
Never mix pesticides unless directed by the label
Store pesticides in original containers
Dispose of old or unused products properly

Regulation in Idaho

Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)

Regulates the sale, use, storage, and disposal of pesticides
Investigates the misuse of regulated pesticides
Offers free disposal events for expired or unwanted pesticides
Monitors ground and surface water in certain areas
Does not recommend specific applicators or health products
➤ Check applicator licenses