Pesticides should always be stored in their original
containers and kept tightly closed. For the protection of
others, especially firemen, the storage area should be
posted as Pesticide Storage and kept securely locked.
Herbicides, especially hormone-like weedkillers such
as 2,4-D, should not be stored with other pesticides--
primarily insecticides and fungicides--to prevent the
accidental substitution of the herbicide for these
chemicals.
Store the pesticides in a cool, dry, well-ventilated
area that is not accessible to children and others who do
not know and understand the safe and proper use of
pesticides. Special precautions may be needed in case of a
fire in these storage areas.
Any restricted pesticide or container contaminated by
restricted pesticides must be stored in a secure, locked
enclosure while unattended. That enclosure must bear a
warning that pesticides are stored there. If any pesticide
has to be stored in other than its original container, that
container must be labeled with the name and
concentration of the active ingredient and the signal word
and warning statements for the pesticide. Keep an
inventory of all pesticides stored in an area away from the
storage site, so that it may be referred to in case of an
emergency at the storage site.
Keep your local fire department informed of the
location of all pesticide storages. Fighting a fire that
includes smoke from burning pesticides can be extremely
hazardous to firemen. Firemen should be cautioned to
avoid breathing any smoke from such a fire. A fire with
smoke from burning pesticides may endanger the people
of the immediate area or community. The people of an
area or community may have to be evacuated if the smoke

Table 1.2. Winter Storage of Pesticides

from a pesticide fire drifts in their direction. To obtain
Pre-Fire Planning Guides, contact: NACA, Madison
Building, 1155 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC
20005.

Winter Storage of Pesticides. Plan to purchase
pesticides so that supplies are used by the end of the
growing season. When pesticides are stored for the
winter, keep them at temperatures above freezing, under
dry conditions, and out of direct sunlight.
The following points should also be followed:
*Read the label. Special storage recommendations
or restrictions will be printed on the label.
*Write the purchase or delivery date of the product
on the label in indelible ink. Products may lose their
effectiveness over several years.
*Ventilation is important for storage of most
pesticides.
Signs of quality deterioration are as follows:
*EC--Evidence of separation of components, such
as sludge or sediment. Milky appearance does
not occur when water is added.
*Oils--Milk appearance does not occur when
mixed with water.
*WP, SP--Excessive lumping; powder does not
suspend in water.

After freezing, place pesticides in warm storage (50^o-
60^oF [10^o- 26.7^oC]) and shake or roll container every few
hours to mix product or eliminate layering. If layering
persists, or if all crystals do not completely dissolve, do
not use product. If in doubt, call the manufacturer.

6

1998 New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide