There are many people in Bermuda who take great pride in their gardens making sure they are nurtured and not under the attack of pesky insects that can wreak havoc.

One of the main methods of counterattack is the use of various pesticides but it is worth remembering that such things should be used with precaution.

Although you want to feel one with nature, home gardeners should, when spraying, wear protective clothing that will cover their body. Goggles should be worn to protect your eyes from back spray and gloves should be worn on your hands.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said all pesticides that are in use in Bermuda are registered through the department, which is responsible for reading all the labels and information to make sure they are adequate for Bermuda's environment.

The spokesperson said: "So the pesticides people buy have already been approved and the majority of nurseries have the chemicals already diluted so people don't have to mix them.

"The one thing homeowners must do is read the labels and if a pesticide requires mixing do the proper measurements so they are spraying for what they want. There are different pesticides for different uses.'' She added: "It is important to wear protective clothing when dealing with pesticides and also you don't want to spray pesticides on a windy day because the wind drift will cause it to go on something you don't want sprayed.

"And also you want to be conscious of the environment -- not spraying when bluebirds are out and when winds are high -- you want to cover your goldfish pond as pesticides could be harmful to them.'' Foreman at Botanical Gardens, Roger Parris, said your whole body should be protected when spraying and things like coveralls should be worn. Spraying in just a pair of shorts and a T-shirt is not a good idea.

"Whenever you are mixing chemicals gloves should be worn especially in the summer months because your pores are more open and everything can get into your skin,'' Mr. Parris said.

He added: "When spraying you should also wear goggles and a mask so you are not inhaling fumes.

"It is also important, when there is a light wind, to spray with your back towards the wind to prevent it from getting on you because pesticides can make you sick.

"If you are using fertilisers use gloves in case you have a cut on your hand.'' Mr. Parris also said that when spraying your gardens it's good to put a little sign up to warn people coming into your yard as a safety precaution.

Owner and operator of Pipers Landscape specialising in insect and disease control, Alfred E. Madeiros, said a lot of people misuse spraying pesticides.

He added: "It is important to try and spray or treat plants on a calm day as wind carries the chemical.

"My business advises home gardeners on what they need to uses on their various plants. The most effective for diseases on exterior plants is diazonon and malathion. You would use fungicide for mildew and fungus on plants but you must read the label and mix according to the label.'' Mr. Madeiros said some pesticides, if mistakenly sprayed on the body, can cause a burny, itchy feeling which can normally be cured when washed off.

General manager of Aberfeldy Nurseries, Bobby Baron, said the best time people should spray the plants is during the cooler part of the day.

"During the hottest part of the day plants can be parched and pesticides can also stay suspended in the air making it easier to breathe in,'' Mr. Baron said.

He added that although pesticides sold in Bermuda are considered safe some people could have an allergic reaction which is why they should take precautions when using them.

Here are a list of the most popular home garden pesticides sold in local nurseries.

Diazonon: mostly for your leaf eating creatures such as caterpillars.

Malathion: mainly for your scale and fly type insects.

Dormant Oral Spray or sun oil: a refined horticultural grade oil that can be used on plants. It suffocates the insects unlike others which are a lethal chemical that poisons.

Thuricide: a bacteria that controls the insects biologically, it attacks their digestive tracks so they can no longer eat.

"It is important to wear protective clothing when dealing with pesticides and also you don't want to spray pesticides on a windy day because the wind drift will cause it to go on something you don't want sprayed. And also you want to be conscious of the environment -- not spraying when bluebirds are out and when winds are high -- you want to cover your goldfish pond as pesticides could be harmful to them.''