When should pesticide labels first be read and understood?

• A. Before opening or using the pesticide
• B. When signs of poisoning are suspected
• C. When determining the REI
• D. Upon completion of an application

Answer: (A)

Reading the label before handling the product is essential because it contains all safety and use instructions you must follow, and those are the rules you’re legally required to adhere to. By checking it first, you learn what personal protective equipment to wear, how to mix and apply correctly, the approved uses and crops, application rates, and restrictions like the restricted-entry interval (REI), drift precautions, storage, disposal, and what to do in an emergency. Knowing these details before you open or use the pesticide helps prevent exposure, crop damage, and violations, and it ensures you’re prepared to apply it safely and legally.

Waiting until signs of poisoning appear isn’t a reliable safety plan—by then exposure may already have occurred. The REI is something you consult on the label, but you should know it before applying, not after. Completing an application without consulting the label first would ignore critical requirements that must be followed during use.