New

Fred Fishel
Department of Agronomy

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
The author gratefully acknowledges the Purdue University Pesticide Program and MU publication MX328, Applying Pesticides Correctly, in preparing this publication.
Publication No. IPM1012