Temperature extremes in the pesticide storage facility pose several problems. The normal temperature range recommended for storing liquid pesticides is usually 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, although some pesticide labels state a specific temperature range for maintaining optimal shelf life. The purpose of this guide is to provide a quick reference for specific storage information and temperature requirements, if relevant, for many commonly used greenhouse, ornamental and turf pesticides.
Temperature extremes in storage can reduce the effectiveness of pesticides. Freezing of liquid pesticides can result in the active ingredients separating from the solvents or emulsifiers, which may lead to crystallization or coagulation of the pesticide. Some pesticides may be thawed and reused after being frozen by rolling, shaking or otherwise agitating the container to resuspend its contents. Call the manufacturer for advice on reusing specific pesticides that have frozen. Also note that the freezing point of many pesticides is lower than 32 Fahrenheit due to the hydrocarbon solvents and inert ingredients present. At the other extreme, excessive heat can cause pesticides to volatilize and drift away from the storage site. Some pesticides are flammable.
Temperature extremes can also damage the integrity of the pesticide container. Freezing temperatures can cause glass, metal and plastic containers to break. High temperatures can cause plastic containers to melt and glass containers to explode.
As a rule, wettable powders and granules are not affected by low temperatures. Moisture is the greatest factor affecting their storage as it can cause caking that may reduce the effectiveness of the pesticide. Products formulated in water-soluble packets have a high affinity for moisture and become brittle when frozen. Brittle packets may break open when handled, so store these products in a warm, dry area.
Before storing pesticides, read the "storage and disposal" section of the pesticide label. Many pesticide labels provide specific storage information. The following precautions should be used in the storage of all pesticides:
- Do not store near heat, sparks or open flame.
- Do not contaminate other pesticides, fertilizer, water, food or feed by storage.
- Keep containers tightly closed, dry and at a moderate temperature in a locked, well-ventilated place that is out of the reach of children.
- Store products in original containers only.
If storage information cannot be found on the label, contact the manufacturer of the pesticide. The following information was taken from the "storage and disposal" section of the respective pesticide labels.
Fungicides
- Basamid Granula
Do not store above 95 degrees Fahrenheit - Bayleton 50
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Camelot
Preferably store above 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Dithane (T/O and Rainshield formulations)
Do not allow to become wet or overheated. - Flowable Mancozeb
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Fore
Do not allow to become wet or overheated. - Fore FlowXL
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
Do not allow to become overheated. - Fungo 50 WSB
Do not store above 122 degrees Fahrenheit
Do not allow to become wet or overheated. - Mancozeb DG
Do not allow to become wet or overheated. - Plantvax 75WP
Store in a dry location. - Rubigan AS
Avoid freezing. - Subdue 2X WSP
Store in a cool, dry place. - Systemic Fungicide
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Systhane WSP
Do not store below 40 degrees Fahrenheit - Triact 70
Do not store below 40 degrees Fahrenheit - TwoSome Flowable
Avoid freezing.
Insecticides
- Astro
Do not store below 40 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Azatin XL
Do not store above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or below -20 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Battle GC
Protect from freezing. - Conserve SC
Avoid freezing. - DeltaGard GC 5SC
Avoid extremes in temperatures. - DeltaGard T&O 5SC
Avoid extremes in temperatures. - Dursban 2 Coated Granules
Avoid excess heat. - Dursban 50W
Do not store above 122 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. - Dursban Pro
Do not store above 122 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. Preferred storage is above 32 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Gnatrol
Store between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit - Marathon 60 WP
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - PYRIGO
Do not store above 122 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Pinpoint 15G
Protect from excessive heat. - Professional Pest Control Dursban 0.5G
Do not store above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. - Scimitar GC
Protect from freezing. - Scimitar WP
Do not store below 32 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Sevin 6.3G
Do not store above 100 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Sevin 80 WSP
Do not store above 100 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Sevin SL
Do not store above 100 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Tempo 20 WP WSP
Do not store below 32 degrees degrees Fahrenheit - Triact 70
Do not store below 40 degrees degrees Fahrenheit
Herbicides
- Acclaim Extra
Do not store above 100 Fahrenheit or below 10 degrees Fahrenheit - Atrazine 4L
Do not store below 0 degrees Fahrenheit - Basagran T/O
Do not allow to freeze. - Basamid Granular
Do not store above 95 degrees Fahrenheit - Bensumec
Protect from temperatures below 42 degrees Fahrenheit - Bentgrass Selective
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Campaign
Do not store below 40 degrees Fahrenheit - Chaser
Do not store below 10 degrees Fahrenheit - Chaser 2 Amine
Do not store below 28 degrees Fahrenheit - Confront
Do not store below 28 degrees Fahrenheit - Dimension
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Drive 75 DF
Do not store under dampness or high humidity. - Eliminate Liquid
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Gallery 75 DF
Do not store above 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Do not store in direct sunlight. - Goal 2XL
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Horsepower
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Illoxan 3EC
Do not store below 20 degrees Fahrenheit - Image 1.5 LC
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Image Consumer Concentrate
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Kerb WSP
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Lescogran
Do not allow product to freeze. - MCPP 4K
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - MCPP-4 Amine
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Manage
Do not store above 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Do not store under moist conditions. - Millenium Ultra
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Momentum Premium
Store at temperatures above 28 degrees Fahrenheit or agitate before using. - Outrider
Do not store above 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Do not store under moist conditions. - Pendulum 2G
Do not store above 120 degrees Fahrenheit - Pendulum 3.3 EC
Do not store below 40 degrees Fahrenheit - Pendulum WDG
Do not store above 120 degrees Fahrenheit - Pre-M 3.3 EC
Do not store below 40 degrees Fahrenheit - Pre-M 60 DG
Do not store above 120 degrees Fahrenheit - Prograss
Do not store below 34 degrees Fahrenheit - Reward L&A
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Reward LS
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Super Trimec
Keep from freezing. - Three-Way Selective
Keep from freezing. - Tri-Power Selective
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Four Power Plus
Do not store below temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit - Triamine
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Triamine II
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Trimec Classic
Keep from freezing. - Trimec Classic DSC
Exposure of the water soluable bags to moisture prior to mixing may cause the water soluable bag to rupture. - Trimec Plus
Keep from freezing. - Triplet
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - Triplet Sensitive
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit - TruPower
Store at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit
If allowed to freeze, remix before using. - Turflon Ester
Do not store below 28 degrees Fahrenheit - Vantage
Do not store below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit