CHAPTER 11

Pesticide Application Procedures

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter, you should be able to: • Name several different application procedures and types of equipment. • Discuss appropriate safety systems (e.g., closed mixing and loading, enclosed cab, and pesticide containment). • Identify the factors (e.g., nozzles, volumes, pressures, and speeds) that affect calibration. • Explain the importance of calibrating application equipment. • Show how to calculate the size of the application area. • Indicate how to determine the pesticide application rate. • Demonstrate how to determine the amount of pesticide concentrate and diluent to use. • Explain how to choose appropriate drift reduction practices.

oday’s pest management practices be matched to the pesticide as well as to Trequire modern equipment to apply the size and type of the job. To make an a variety of pesticides. Pesticides may be effective, safe, and efficient application, applied as sprays, dusts, granules, gases read the label first. In addition, you (vapors), fogs, baits, rubs, or dips. The must properly select, operate, calibrate, vast array of application equipment must and maintain your equipment.

APPLICATION METHODS

he pesticide application method you equipment, and cost and efficiency of Tchoose depends on the nature and alternative methods. Your choice is habits of the target pest, characteristics often predetermined by one or more of of the target site, properties of the these factors. The following are some pesticide, suitability of the application common application methods:

PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 157 • Crack-and-crevice application —placing small amounts of pes- ticide into cracks and crevices in buildings, such as along base- boards and in cabinets. • Directed-spray application— specifically targeting pests to minimize pesticide contact with nontarget plants and animals.

AGCO • Foliar application—directing pesticide to the leafy portions of Broadcast application a plant. • Rope-wick or wiper treat- ments—releasing pesticides onto a device that is wiped onto weeds taller than the crop, or wiped selectively onto individual weeds in an ornamental planting bed. • Soil application—placing pes- ticide directly on or in the soil instead of on a growing plant. • Soil incorporation—using tillage, rainfall, or irrigation equipment Crack and crevice application Foliar application to move pesticide into the soil. • Band application­—applying a • Soil injection—applying a pes- pesticide in parallel strips or ticide under pressure beneath bands, such as between or over the soil surface. rows of crops. • Space treatment—applying a • Basal application—directing pesticide in an enclosed area. herbicides to the lower portions of brush or small trees. • Spot treatment—applying a pesticide to small, distinct areas. • Broadcast application—uni- formly applying a pesticide to an • Tree injection—applying pesti- entire area or field. cides under the bark of trees.

SAFETY SYSTEMS Closed systems…

• Increase handler safety. losed mixing and loading systems, pesticides from contacting handlers • Reduce the need for Cenclosed application systems or other persons during mixing and some personal protective (e.g., enclosed cabs), and pesticide loading. Sometimes the label of pes- equipment. containment systems are excellent ticides with a high risk of causing investments if you use large quanti- human health effects may require the • Decrease the occurrence ties of pesticides or the kind that is of spills. use of a closed mixing and loading very hazardous to humans or to the system. • Provide a more accurate environment. There are two primary types of measurement of closed mixing and loading systems. pesticide concentrate, Closed Mixing and One type uses mechanical devices to which reduces overdosing Loading Systems deliver the pesticide from the con- or underdosing. Closed mixing and loading tainer to the equipment. The other systems are designed to prevent type uses water-soluble packaging.

158 CHAPTER 11 Water-Soluble Packaging Water-soluble bags are a simple type of closed mixing and loading system. The premeasured pesticide is contained inside a water-soluble bag or packet. The pesticide bag is placed unopened into the water or fertilizer in the mixing tank. Few manufacturers, Statewide IPM Program however, provide water-soluble bags for Jack Kelly of Clark, California Univ. small-volume applications. There must be ample time during mixing to allow for the bags to dissolve. A closed loading system.

Mechanical Systems Enclosed Cabs enclosed cab Mechanical systems often consist An (such as a tractor of a series of interconnected equipment cab, cockpit, or truck/vehicle cab) sur- parts that allow for the safe removal rounds the occupant(s) and may prevent of a pesticide concentrate from its pesticide exposure as long as the doors, original container, either by gravity or hatches, and windows are kept closed by suction. These systems minimize at all times during the application. exposure when rinsing the empty con- Enclosed cabs are considered a tainer and transferring the pesticide and supplement to personal pro- rinsate to the application equipment. tective equipment (PPE) —not a replacement for

Mechanical systems are often Nebraska of University it. So, you must wear all

custom-made with components from Schulze, Larry several commercial sources. These PPE specified on the systems are available for containers as label while working small as 2.5 gallons. Because pesticide inside the enclosed cab. container openings vary in shape and However, the labeling size, no single closed system can be used of some agricultural with all containers. use pesticides may allow A mechanical loading system is exceptions to the label- often used with minibulk containers. specified PPE requirements These containers range in volume from for applicators in enclosed cabs. 40 to 330 gallons and are adapted to Check with your state, tribe, or ter- closed systems. Typically, pump-and- ritory pesticide regulatory agency for Enclosed cabs drive units deliver the product. A meter any other requirements regarding PPE are considered a supplement to PPE, allows accurate measuring from the and enclosed cabs. Remember, outside surfaces of the application equipment not a replacement minibulk tank to the sprayer. Minibulks for it. usually must be returned to the dealer and cab are contaminated. Be sure to for refilling. This process eliminates wear appropriate PPE when getting in the need to triple rinse or pressure rinse and out of the cab or performing rou- multiple small containers and reduces tine equipment maintenance. the volume of used plastic containers. Pesticide Containment Systems If you often use the same location to mix and load pesticides or clean equipment, you may have to install a pesticide containment pad. Check U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state, tribe, or territory regulations to determine when a containment pad is Mini-bulk tank. required. Keep spray tanks contain- ing pesticides on a pad. These pads are

PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 159 Use a permanently installed con- tainment pad to mix, load, and clean equipment and in areas where large quantities of pesticides are handled or stored. Generally, the containment pad must be made of impermeable material. It should be concave or have curbs, berms, or walls high enough to hold the largest amount of spill, leak, or equipment wash water likely to occur at the site. It also must be equipped with a system to remove and A mixing and loading pad. recover spilled, leaked, or released material by either an automatic sump system or a manually operated pump. designed to contain spills, leaks, over- Smaller, portable pads and lightweight flows, and wastewater for reuse by the trays made of heavy-duty plastic may applicator or disposal by a commercial be used when mixing and loading at waste management contractor. They the application site. Again, check reg- make it easier to clean up spills and help ulations for containment pad design prevent environmental contamination. requirements.

APPLICATION EQUIPMENT

he application equipment or device Tmust be able to apply the pesticide to the intended target at the proper rate. The label specifies the legal application rate and may suggest the appropriate equipment for use with the product. Application equipment may range from an aerosol can to hand equipment to power equipment, including aircraft. The equipment may be carried, towed, or self-propelled. Sprayers The most common type of pes- ticide application equipment is the sprayer: nearly 90% of all pesticides are formulated for spraying. A hydraulic (liq- uid) sprayer uses water or other liquid car-

rier for the pesticide. Larry Schulze, University of Nebraska However, in the case A backpack sprayer is a type of hydraulic Larry Schulze, of ultra-low-volume sprayer.

University of Nebraska spraying, the pesti- cide is either applied manual backpack and hand-held directly as formulated or compressed-air sprayers. In all cases, with dramatically reduced pressure from either a pump or com- carrier volumes. Hydraulic pressed gas or air is used to atomize the sprayers range from large agri- spray mix at the nozzle. A hydraulic sprayer cultural sprayers with multiple-nozzle Manual sprayers are designed for with a spray boom. booms and power sprayers to small spot treatments and for areas unsuitable

160 CHAPTER 11 for larger units. They are relatively tanks require an opening in the bottom inexpensive, simple to operate, maneu- to aid in cleaning and draining. A verable, and easy to clean and store. large top opening is useful for Adjustable spray guns are often used filling, cleaning, and inspecting with these units, but some models have the tank. The opening must the option for a spray boom. have a watertight cover to pre- air-blast sprayer

The (or mist) uses vent spillage. A tank agitation AGCO both water and air as carriers. Spray system/device is useful for droplets are formed by the nozzles most sprayable formulations, and delivered to the target by an air- especially for wettable powders stream. Air-blast sprayers are typically or dry flowables. Constant mix- used for disease and insect control on ing of a pesticide and liquid carrier fruit trees, vineyards, vegetables, and produces a uniform spray mixture Christmas trees. (suspension or solution), resulting in an Ground sprayer. even application of the chemical. Sprayers use a pump to produce the flow of spray material to the nozzles and for agitation. The pump parts must resist corrosion and be abrasion- resistant, especially when wettable powders or other abrasive formulations are used. Never operate a sprayer pump at speeds or pressures above those rec- ommended by the manufacturer. You may damage the pump if it is operated M.J. Weaver, Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs Virginia Tech M.J. Weaver, dry or with a restricted flow at the inlet An air blast sprayer uses both water and or outlet. Pumps depend on the spray air as carriers.

liquid for lubrication and to prevent Illinois PSEP program. overheating. Sprayer Components Nozzles control the amount of Rotating turret nozzle Because sprayers use water or other material applied, droplet formation body with five nozzle positions. The position liquids to dilute and carry a pesticide, a and size (coverage and drift), and the pointing down is the tank is necessary to contain the spray distribution and pattern of the droplets. active nozzle. mix. Choose a tank made of or coated A nozzle’s spray pattern is made up of with a material that does not corrode a wide variety of spray droplet sizes. and can be easily cleaned. Corrosion Nozzles are classified based on the and dirt clog screens and nozzles and spray pattern they produce (see Figure Figure 11.1 increase wear on the equipment. Large 11.1). The size of the nozzle opening Nozzle Spray Patterns Illinois PSEP program.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 161 (orifice) affects the droplet size and spread the granules. The application flow rate. A nozzle that primarily pro- rate is affected by ground speed; granule duces larger droplets is most likely to size, shape, and density; field terrain; and minimize off-target drift. A nozzle even relative humidity and air tempera- that mainly produces smaller droplets ture. When multiple band applicators will maximize surface coverage of the are used, each individual unit must be target. See Chapter 7 (Pesticides in calibrated with the specific material to the Environment) for a more detailed be applied to ensure accurate application. discussion of droplet size classification. Rotary and drop spreaders are two Choose nozzles based on the target common types of granular applicators. pest, type of application, coverage Rotary spreaders distribute the granules desired, and drift potential. to the front and sides of the spreader, Nozzles are available in various usually by means of a spinning disk or materials: brass, aluminum, plastic, fan. In a drop spreader, an adjustable stainless steel, hardened stainless steel, sliding gate opens holes in the bottom of and ceramic. Select the nozzle material the hopper. Granules flow out by gravity best suited for the pesticide formu- feed. Drop spreaders are superior to lation. Never use brass or aluminum rotary spreaders when more precise tips to apply abrasive materials (such placement of the pesticide is desired. as wettable powders and dry flowables) because they wear too fast. Since Other Application wear destroys the proper working of a Equipment nozzle, replace worn nozzles. To reduce Figure 11.2 wear, use nozzle tips made of a hard, Additional types of application A device to measure wear-resistant material, such as plastic, equipment include: nozzle flow. hardened stainless steel, or ceramic. • Rubs, walk-through sprayers, Also, be sure you have the correct and dipping vats to control pests nozzle screen size for each nozzle. on animals. Flow meters and other devices measure nozzle flow rate and the • Bait dispensers to control uniformity of flow from nozzles rodents, insects, and predators. along a boom. Figure 11.2 is • Foggers for indoor pest control a device that measures flow and for some outdoor insect over time. It can be used to control. Bob Wolf, Bob Wolf, check nozzles for output and is • Chemigation systems for green-

Kansas State University also useful during calibration, particularly when sprayers are houses and field crops. set up with multiple nozzles. • Dusters for small-scale disease and insect control. Granular Applicators A rotary spreader. Granular applicators are available for either band or broadcast application. They may be operated as separate units. However, they are often attached to other equipment (such as planters or cultivating equipment) to combine two or more operations. Granular applicators usually operate Bob Wolf, Bob Wolf, by gravity feed and have an

Kansas State University adjustable opening to regulate the flow. Band applicators use hoses or tubes with deflectors on the bot- Jack Kelly Clark, University of California Statewide IPM Program tom. Broadcast applicators use a system Rubs are used for applying pesticides A drop spreader. of tubes and deflectors or a spinner to to livestock.

162 CHAPTER 11 EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION

alibration is the process of mea- When calibrating a boom sprayer, Csuring and adjusting the amount there are three variables that affect the of pesticide your equipment applies or amount of spray material applied per delivers to a specific area. The purpose area of measurement (i.e., gallons per of calibration is to ensure that your acre or gallons per 1,000 square feet): equipment is applying the correct 1. Nozzle flow rate. amount of material uniformly over a given area. 2. Ground speed of the sprayer. Equipment is made to be adjustable. 3. Width sprayed per nozzle. Charts or tables assist the operator in adjusting the settings. These recom- To calibrate and operate a sprayer mended settings, however, are only properly, it is important to understand approximate and may not be appro- how each of these variables affects priate for all situations. Therefore, sprayer output. The nozzle flow rate your equipment must be calibrated varies according to the size of the periodically. How often depends on the orifice, the nozzle pressure, and the type of equipment and the frequency of density of the spray liquid. The spray use. The application rate of a sprayer is application rate varies inversely with affected by travel speed, nozzle size, and the ground speed. Doubling the ground sprayer pressure. Even with the wide- speed of the sprayer reduces the gallons spread use of electronics to monitor of spray applied per acre by one-half. and control the pesticide application, a Likewise, doubling the effective width thorough sprayer calibration procedure sprayed per nozzle decreases the applied is essential to avoid misapplication. amount by one-half. Equipment can be calibrated by The time invested in calibrating making a trial run on some premea- your equipment is time well-spent. sured area and measuring the output. Accurate calibration to determine the For example, using a hand-held sprayer, application volume under your oper- spray a premeasured test area with water ating conditions is important for cost, using the same pressure and techniques efficiency, and safety. Without properly (i.e., travel speed and equipment) you calibrating the sprayer to deliver the would use when applying the pesticide. correct application volume, you will After spraying the test area, determine not be able to apply the pesticide at the how much water was used. This volume proper rate to control the pest. can then be used to calculate the Your category-specific manual will amount of water and pesticide needed explain in detail how to calibrate your to cover the intended application area. application equipment.

Why Calibrate? The purpose of calibration is to ensure that your equipment is applying the correct amount of pesticide material uniformly over a given area. Too little pesticide may fail to control the target pest. Too much pesticide is illegal and can result in damage to the treated plant, animal, or surface; can produce illegal residues on treated crops and animals; and can cause adverse effects

M.J. Weaver, Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs Tech Virginia M.J. Weaver, to the environment and non-target organisms. Calibrating a backpack sprayer.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 163 CALCULATING AREA

or precise application, you need to know the size of the area to be treated. The Ffollowing examples show how to determine the size of rectangular, triangular, and circular areas.

Rectangular Areas You want to apply a pesticide to an area that measures 1,320 feet by 120 feet. What is the area in square feet and in acres?

Area = length x width

Area in square feet (sq. ft.) 1,320 ft. x 120 ft. = 158,400 sq. ft.

120 120 ft.

WIDTH 158,400 sq. ft. Area in acres (A) = = 3.6 A 43,560 sq. ft./A

LENGTH 1,320 ft. Note: 1 acre (A) = 43,560 sq. ft.

Triangular Areas You are applying a pesticide to a triangular area that has a base of 325 feet and a height of 150 feet. What is the area?

Area = base x height 2

HEIGHT 325 ft. x 150 ft. 150 150 feet Area in square feet = = 24,375 sq. ft. 2

24,375 sq. ft. Area in acres = = 0.6 A 43,560 sq. ft./A BASE 325 feet

Circular Areas If you have a circular area that has a 90-foot diameter, the radius (r) is 45 ft. What is the area?

Area = 3.14r2 Note: 3.14 ( is a constant. π) Radius is 1/2 diameter. Area in square feet = DIAMETER

90 feet 3.14 x 452 = 6,358.5 sq. ft. RADIUS 6,358.5 sq. ft. Area in acres = = 0.15 A 43,560 sq. ft./A

164 CHAPTER 11 CALCULATING THE APPLICATION RATE

se the volume from your calibration 1,000 square feet (multi- Utest area to determine the amount plying 2 gallons of water of pesticide product and total spray by 4). mixture needed for your application Check the pesticide area. First, convert your calibrated rate label to determine the to one based on the area units found on amount of pesticide to the label. For example, assume that when add to the spray mixture. you calibrated the sprayer, it delivered 2 For example, if the label 1257 gallons of water over a 250-square-foot recommends adding 4 test area. Your application area mea- ounces of a liquid pes- sures 1,000 square feet (i.e., four times ticide product to give a the test area). Therefore, you need to desired finished spray use 8 gallons of spray mixture to cover mixture of 1 gallon, you

Calculate the application Calculating the Application Rate rate and measure the amount of pesticide needed. You determined from a calibration test that your boom sprayer delivered 10 gallons of water over a one-quarter (0.25) acre test area. You need to apply a pesticide product to a 10-acre field (43,560 square feet = 1 acre). The pesticide label recommends that 4 ounces of liquid product be added to give a desired finished spray mixture of 1 gallon (there are 128 fluid ounces = 1 gallon). How much spray volume and how much product are needed?

Step 1. How much spray mixture is needed for the 10-acre application area? Always use information from the calibration test. In this example, 10 gallons of water was used over a 0.25-acre cali- bration test area.

10 gallons Y gallons = 0.25 acre 10 acres

Cross multiplication: (10 gallons x 10 acres) Y = = 400 gallons of spray mixture needed 0.25 acre

Step. 2. How much pesticide product is needed to make up 400 gallons of spray mixture? Use the label rate of 4 oz. product per 1 gal. spray.

400 gallons spray mixture x 4 ounces of liquid pesticide product per gallon = 1,600 ounces of product needed

Step 3. How many gallons of product are needed? Remember, 128 ounces = 1 gallon.

1,600 ounces of product = 12.5 gallons of product 128 ounces/gallon

Final result: To treat 10 acres, you need a total final spray mix of 400 gallons that includes 12.5 gallons of the concentrated product.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 165 would add 4 ounces of product to 124 Labels vary in how they recommend ounces of water (1 gallon equals 128 pesticide application rates. Some fluid ounces). If you needed to apply examples include ounces of product per 8 gallons of spray mixture to cover 1,000 square feet, pints/quarts/gallons 1,000 square feet, then you must add per 100 gallons, pounds of product per 32 ounces (8 times 4 ounces) of pes- acre, or percent product in the tank. Be ticide product to 7.75 gallons of water. sure you understand how to calculate the If the tank capacity of the sprayer is 4 correct amount of pesticide product and gallons, you need to fill up the tank diluent needed before making the final twice, using 16 fluid ounces of product mixture See Appendix C, Conversions each time. and Calculations, for more information.

TECHNIQUES TO MINIMIZE DRIFT

pplication techniques and equip- four times. Pressure cannot be used Ament greatly influence the amount to make major changes in application of spray drift that occurs. Off-target rate, but it can be used to correct minor movement is affected by the type of changes due to nozzle wear. To obtain a nozzle, nozzle orifice size, sprayer pres- uniform spray pattern and to minimize sure, and the height or distance of the drift, keep the operating pressure nozzles from the target. It is important within the recommended range for each to review the pesticide label for specific nozzle tip. Exceeding the recommended information on drift reduction tech- pressure range often results in more niques or requirements. You must also drift potential. To maintain a proper check weather conditions (such as air spray pattern, adjust nozzles according stability, wind direction, and speed) at to the manufacturer’s recommendations the time and place of the application on nozzle spacing and spray angle. and follow all weather-related restric- Applications made with an elec- tions on the label. tronic rate controller are subject to Of the many nozzle types pressure changes as the operating available for applying pesticides, speed varies. Even though the purpose

State University several are specifically designed to of the rate controller is to help make Bob Wolf, Bob Kansas Wolf, reduce drift. Select nozzles to give the largest droplet size that provides adequate coverage at the intended appli- cation volume and pressure. A wind meter is useful In addition to the size of the nozzle for determining when orifice, some new nozzle designs help to spray. reduce drift by incorporating air into the spray to form an air-fluid mix. These air-induction nozzles, known as venturi nozzles, form a larger spray droplet, produce fewer fine particles, and provide energy to help transport the droplets to the target. These nozzles, however, require higher spray pressures (40 to 100 pounds per square inch) to be effective. Even at these higher pres- sures, venturi nozzles still dramatically reduce the likelihood of drift. Operating pressure also affects the droplet size and output volume of the sprayer. Doubling the pressure does not Pat Pesticide Hipkins, Programs Virginia Tech double the flow rate. To double the flow A demonstration of a method to determine rate, you must increase the pressure the uniformity of a nozzle spray pattern.

166 CHAPTER 11 application volumes more uniform as drift. Likewise, reduced speed can lower sprayer speed changes, major adjust- the pressure, which may affect coverage ments in speed can affect pressure. and, ultimately, pattern quality. For example, doubling the speed will Spray height, or distance from result in a fourfold pressure increase the target site, is also an important in an attempt to maintain the correct factor in reducing drift. The closer the volume. The increased pressure without boom or spray nozzle is to the ground changing nozzle orifice size will dra- or target site, the less chance for drift. matically increase the potential for However, watch for pattern uniformity.

Table 11.1. Recommended Techniques to Reduce Drift

Recommended Technique Explanation

Read the label and reference the nozzle manufacturer’s guide Follow label directions for reducing to determine which nozzle and pressure combinations are drift. needed.

Large droplets are less prone to drift. Use the largest droplets Select a nozzle to increase droplet size. that provide necessary coverage.

Increase nozzle size resulting in higher Larger capacity nozzles can reduce the amount of spray application volumes. deposited off-target.

Certain nozzles (e.g., air-induction and venturi nozzles) may Consider using new technologies. help reduce drift.

The higher the boom height is above the target, the greater Lower boom height. the potential for drift. Lowering the boom height a few inches can reduce off-target drift.

High travel speeds may result in an unstable boom, high Maintain appropriate travel speed. boom positions and increased drift potential.

When using hand-held equipment, keeping the nozzle close Keep nozzle close to the target. reduces the potential for drift.

Speed changes may result in pressure adjustments, causing Avoid high application ground speeds droplet size variability. Sudden increases in speed may create or major speed changes across the field. high pressure that results in more drift potential.

Avoid applications during times of high More of the spray volume moves off-target as wind increases. wind speeds. Wind currents can drastically affect spray droplet deposition.

Do not spray in the presence of a Temperature inversions prevent the dissipation of spray temperature inversion. particles.

Consider using buffer zones/no-spray Leave a buffer zone/no-spray zone if sensitive areas are zones near sensitive areas. downwind.

Use a drift-control additive when Drift-control additives increase the average droplet size needed. produced by the nozzles. These additives must not become your only drift reducing technique. They do not make up for poor spraying practices.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 167 To maintain uniformity, most nozzle effective. Research, however, has shown types require some amount of overlap. that some products intended to reduce Maintaining a 1:1 ratio of boom height drift in fact increase drift potential. This above the target to the nozzle spacing research also shows that although some on the boom will satisfy most overlap of these additives dramatically increase requirements. For air-blast sprayers, droplet size, they may also reduce reduce drift by minimizing spraying coverage and lessen the overall effec- over the canopy top. Use the minimum tiveness of the pesticide. Thoroughly airspeed that will still give good pen- evaluate drift control additives before etration into the canopy, and consider using them. Using approved application the use of tower sprayers. techniques and adopting new tech- Another way to minimize drift nologies designed to reduce spray drift is to use drift control additives. Tests can improve the performance of spray indicate that the use of some additives mixes, benefit the environment, and be reduces downwind drift deposits by more cost-effective. Any one practice 50% to 80%. Drift control additives used alone may not sufficiently reduce are a specific type of chemical adjuvant. drift. Therefore, incorporate as many They must be mixed and applied drift-reduction techniques as practical according to label directions to be into your spray program (Table 11.1).

SUMMARY

o choose the most suitable pesticide The most common type of application Tapplication method, you must con- equipment used in pest management sider factors such as the target site, is the hydraulic sprayer. Regardless of target pest, and which pesticide formu- what type of sprayer you use, you must lation you intend to use. understand its parts and how they work. Further, you must wear all PPE This includes how to adjust nozzles, specified on the label for a specific task spray volume, and pressure to reduce and, when required, use closed mixing off-target drift. Spraying under the and loading systems, enclosed cabs, and right weather conditions using proper pesticide containment systems. Even if application procedures can help reduce not required, using these safety systems drift. will help protect humans and the envi- Before making an application, be ronment from exposure to pesticides. sure your equipment is properly cali- Your application equipment must brated and know how to use the label be able to deliver the correct amount information to calculate the correct of pesticide to the intended target. amount of pesticide.

168 CHAPTER 11 Review Questions

CHAPTER 11: Pesticide Application Procedures

Write the answers to the following questions, and then check your answers with those in Appendix A.

1. Which application method involves uniformly 6. Which technique would help minimize off- applying a pesticide to an entire area or field? target drift? A. Broadcast. A. Spraying during a temperature inversion. B. Band. B. Using the largest droplets practical to C. Directed spray. provide necessary coverage. C. Increasing the height of the nozzles above 2. Which type of pesticide application would you the target. use to control cockroaches inside buildings? 7. You are applying a pesticide to a triangular A. Basal. area that has a base of 60 feet and a height of B. Band. 30 feet. How many square feet is the area? C. Crack and crevice. A. 450. 3. Which statement about containment pads is B. 900. true? C. 1,800. A. Pads make spill cleanup more difficult. 8. You are applying a pesticide to a circular area B. Pads should be made of permeable materials. with a 20-foot diameter. How many square C. Pads should be used where large quantities feet is the area? of pesticides are handled or mixed. A. 128. 4. Which statement about sprayer nozzles is true? B. 314. C. 400. A. A nozzle that mainly produces fine droplets is likely to minimize off-target drift. 9. You have calibrated your equipment to spray B. Coarse-sized droplets provide maximum 50 gallons per acre. You need to spray 1 acre. coverage of the target. The label calls for 3 pounds of formulation C. Nozzles control the amount of material per 100 gallons of water. How many pounds applied and type of pattern created. of formulation should you add to the tank to make 50 gallons of finished spray? 5. Which statement about granular applicators is true? A. 1.5. B. 3. A. Ground speed has no effect on the C. 6. application rate. B. In a rotary spreader, lighter granules are thrown farther than heavier ones. C. Drop spreaders are superior to rotary spreaders when more precise placement of the pesticide is desired.

REVIEW QUESTIONS 169