Michigan Residents Warned Not to Use These Popular Online Pesticides

If you are starting to think about your spring projects, gardening, or finally dealing with pests that somehow made it through this brutally cold winter, Michigan health officials are asking you to slow down before you buy anything online.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, is warning residents not to use two pesticides that are being sold through online marketplaces like Amazon.

The products are called Sniper and NOPEST (Nopest), and while they are marketed for home use, officials say they can be dangerous.

Both products contain dichlorvos, also known as DDVP, and they have it in highly concentrated amounts. According to state officials, those concentrations have already been linked to some recent pesticide poisonings in Michigan.

As more people get ready for spring cleanup and gardening, you should try to be careful about where you buy chemical products. Online marketplaces don’t always hold sellers to the same standards for quality control and product verification as local retailers may. That means a product can look legitimate, be marketed for home use, and still be unsafe or improperly regulated.

Health officials also recommend only purchasing pesticides that clearly display both an EPA registration number and an EPA establishment number on the label. Those markings mean the product has been reviewed and tested for safety.

If it is financially possible, contacting a licensed professional is often the safest option. Pest control professionals are trained to handle these chemicals properly and know how to use them without putting people or pets at risk. It may cost more up front, but it greatly reduces the chance of a serious health issue.

What to do if you’ve already purchased NOPEST or Sniper

If you already have Sniper or Nopest in your home, officials say not to use them and not to pour them down the drain. Instead, wear protective clothing including gloves, a face mask, and eye protection. Double bag the container using heavy plastic, add dirt, sand, or kitty litter to absorb the liquid, and contact your local waste management company to find the safest way to dispose of it.

The symptoms of pesticide poisoning can be severe. Officials say exposure can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, or throat, along with headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and skin irritation. In more serious cases, symptoms can include seizures, coma, and even death.

When it comes to pesticides, cheap and convenient can turn risky very quickly. Buying from trusted brands, reputable stores, or licensed professionals can protect your health, and the people around you.