These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Home

Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts

How can I determine if a pesticide kept in storage for a long time is still effective?

Last Updated: April 23, 2012

View as web page


The shelf life of a pesticide is mostly determined by the conditions under which the product is stored. Temperature extremes have the strongest impact on pesticide longevity. Changes in color and consistency may signal that the pesticide is no longer effective. You can call the manufacturer for advice or test a small amount of the product by applying it to a labeled site and investigating the results. Do not breathe in vapors of the pesticide after the container is opened to determine if it is still useful! On some of the newer products you can also search to see if there is a date that the product was made or when it will expire. If in doubt check with the manufacturer.

Browse related Faqs by tag: applicator, storage, license, pesticidestewardship, pesticide regulation, washington


Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.