Minimize Pesticide Spray Drift With These Tips  

Pest damage is perhaps the most pressing concern among fruit growers and effective control measures can be difficult to determine. While many great pesticide products are available, getting the maximum value from each one poses a challenge because of spray drift. Spray drift occurs when pesticide product spreads from the site of initial application. Drift can cause pesticides to land on sites that do not require application and results in a diminished amount of product collecting on the affected site. Expensive pesticide products end up wasted and deliver spotty results, if any.

Three basic strategies should always be kept in mind:

• Education
• Maintenance
• Calibration

Good strategies can minimize the drift associated with pesticide spraying. Novice and experienced fruit tree technicians will find these tips valuable.

Start With Great Training

Learning the correct way to use pesticide spray equipment is the first and perhaps most important strategy of all. Although spraying might look simple to do, knowing how to prepare the product, handle the equipment, and apply the spray dramatically effects the end result. Take the time to train all tree care team members in the correct use of pesticide products, spray tips, and other items. Newer backpack and handheld sprayer models in particular have many features that even experienced technicians may be unfamiliar with. Speaking with one of our knowledgeable Customer Service Technicians can be beneficial. 

Develop a Maintenance Plan and Stick to it

Spray equipment must be maintained in order to perform correctly. Most professionals conduct daily and annual maintenance checks of spray equipment. Determine what needs to be done before and after using spray equipment, and train associates in the correct procedures. Check out this blog post for more information about sprayer maintenance.

End-of-season and pre-season maintenance should also be conducted. Hoses, nozzles, gaskets, and seals may need to be replaced from time to time. Keep a supply of these common sprayer parts and accessories on hand to facilitate effective maintenance.

Monitor and Calibrate Equipment

Electronic monitoring equipment like flow meters can provide valuable data regarding sprayer operation. Pressure and other operational factors can contribute to pesticide drift; utilize data monitors to track equipment operation and identify patterns indicative of poor operation. From there, calibrate equipment to improve performance. This may need to be done more than once throughout the spraying season.

The Experts Are Here to Help

We specialize in sprayers of all kinds and our team is here to help you with every aspect of sprayer-related questions. With available same-day shipping, live customer support, and loads of product information, we aim to be your preferred source for sprayers and sprayer parts.