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Pesticide Inventory Management

A good pesticide inventory is a short list that you actually keep up. This guide explains what to track and how to use the list to reduce risk and waste.

Why keep an inventory at all?

An inventory tells you what you have, where it is and how old it is. It prevents duplicate purchases, helps you avoid using products past their useful life and gives first responders the information they need if there is a fire or spill.

It also shows you which products you no longer use, so you can deal with them before they become a hazard.

Farms often accumulate products through changing crops, new practices or purchases made in bulk. Over time, a shelf can hold several products nobody remembers buying, and each one is a liability if it leaks or is mistaken for something else.

What should the list include?

A basic record is enough. Write down the product name, the active ingredient as printed on the label, the registration information, the container size and number, the date purchased and the storage location.

Add the safety data sheet to the file for each product. Keep a copy of the list in a place that is not in the storage space itself, so it is available during an emergency.

Record the date you open each container in addition to the purchase date. Some products lose strength or change over time after opening, and the label may describe how long they can be kept.

• Product name and manufacturer
• Active ingredient and registration number
• Container type and quantity
• Date received and condition
• Location in storage

How often should I review it?

Review at least once each season, before ordering for the year. Walk through the storage space with the list in hand and compare. Note containers that are leaking, bulging, damaged or unlabeled.

Use the review to plan purchases. Buying only what you expect to apply this season reduces leftover product, and the label can tell you whether a product has storage limits.

If you employ workers, make sure they know how the inventory is used. Ask them to report any container that appears damaged or missing, and thank them for doing it, so reporting is something people feel good about, not afraid of.

What about old and unwanted products?

Never pour old product on the ground or down a drain. Ask your state lead agency or extension office about collection programs for unwanted pesticides, which are run in some places at certain times and are free or paid depending on the program.

Do not assume a product is still legal to use. Registrations change, and an older product may have been canceled or have updated directions. Check with your state agency before using something that has been sitting for years.

Be wary of offers for free or cheap disposal from people you do not know. Use your state agency or an approved collection program, and keep any paperwork you receive.

How does an inventory help in an emergency?

Responders need to know what is inside a building before they enter. A current list helps them choose how to respond and protect themselves. Share the list with your local fire department and consider sharing it with your insurance provider.

If someone is exposed, the product name and registration information help poison specialists give accurate advice. Call 911 in an emergency.

• Collection programs run by the state or county
• Return programs offered by some dealers or manufacturers
• Guidance from your extension office on safe interim storage

Can digital tools help?

A spreadsheet, a notes app or a paper binder can work. What matters is that it is current and that more than one trusted person knows where it is. If you use a digital file, keep a printed copy as well in case power or devices fail.

Many farms combine the inventory with the application record, which makes year-end reporting and review simpler. Ask your extension office what your state requires for records.

• Keep the file in two places.
• Update it whenever you buy or dispose of product.
• Include the date of your last review.

Who should have access?

Trained handlers and responsible family members should know where the list is kept. Avoid sharing details publicly. The list is a safety document, not a marketing tool, and the storage location should not be advertised.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.