1. Are biocides dangerous?
2. How to dispose of biocides after use?
3. What are closed-circuit biocides?
4. Do I have to register into the closed circuit if I use a closed-circuit biocide for my swimming pool?
5. Do I have to register into the closed circuit if I use a biocide?
6. Why monitor the Asian hornet? How to recognise and report this species?
7? What should I do when there is a nest near a home?
1. Are biocides dangerous?
Biocides are developed to control undesired organisms. They can therefore harm your health and the environment. Before using a biocide it is important to be fully aware of the risks to both you and those around you, especially children. The risks are clearly indicated on the label with symbols and risk phrases. The label provides the necessary instructions for safe use and often there is also a leaflet with instructions.
For more information on precautions, see the section Read the Label or How to Prevent Accidents.
2. How to dispose of biocides after use?
Biocides must be disposed of according to the instructions on the packaging and the waste disposal rules of your region. The empty packaging must usually be treated as chemical waste.
Never throw away the products or their packaging in a sink, toilet, waste bin or sewer. This can have serious consequences for your health or the environment.
3. What are closed-circuit biocides?
Biocides that pose a serious health risk to the user are classified as closed-circuit biocides and are mainly reserved for professionals. Both their sale and use are subject to specific rules, including mandatory registration of sellers. Be vigilant when purchasing biocides and consult the label and precautionary measures.
Information for professionals: see biocide.be.
4. Do I have to register into the closed circuit if I use a closed-circuit biocide for my swimming pool?
In general, the users of closed-circuit biocides must register. However, an exception can be stated in the authorisation certificate (see paragraph 8) of the product. In that case, the certificate mentions that registration is not mandatory for private users of the biocide as far as it is used in their private swimming pool. You can find the certificate of authorisation through the list of authorised biocides.
5. Do I have to register into the closed circuit if I use a biocide?
The user registration is mandatory when using closed-circuit biocides. These are biocides with a serious health risk that are mainly reserved for professionals.
Professionals are invited to consult the website biocide.be.
In order to know if a biocide belongs to the closed circuit, you can consult the list of authorised biocides.
6. Why monitor the Asian hornet? How to recognise and report this species?
The Asian hornet, an invasive species from the Far East, poses a threat to bees -it can attack hives. This is why local authorities monitor the presence of this species and take action against problematic nests.
Not all hornets (very large wasps) are a problem: the European hornet is a normal and useful inhabitant of our regions. The sites below will help you recognise the Asian hornet. If you find a nest, report it through one of these regional sites. These reports are used to monitor populations and are not a request to remove a nest.
Flanders (NL): vespawatch.be/identification/
Brussels (NL, FR): leefmilieu.brussels/burgers/het-milieu-brussel/de-natuur-beschermen/ecologische-en-sanitaire-problemen and observations.be
Wallonia (FR): biodiversite.wallonie.be/fr/le-frelon-asiatique.html?IDC=5999
7. What should I do when there is a nest near a home?
The Asian hornet is no more aggressive towards humans than the common wasp or the European hornet. However, its sting is more painful than that of a wasp and can also cause allergic reactions. More information on the risks of stings and how to treat them can be found on the website of the Poison Centre (in French and Dutch).
The presence of a nest near a house is particularly dangerous. Coming too close to a nest can lead to a massive attack by the colony. Removal of nests is therefore strictly for trained professionals ! Contact your municipality or fire brigade to find out if they can remove the nest.