Pesticide Storage, Handling,
and Application - Application
Table of Contents
- Effective Pest Control
- IPM Step 1: Diagnose the problem
- IPM Step 2: Monitor the problem
- IPM Step 3: Control the problem
- IPM Step 4: Monitor the results
- Timing
- Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage,
Handling and Application
It takes a working knowledge of the principles of sprayer technology,
plus a toolbox of best management practices, to make pesticide applications
work best - whether for horticultural crops, field crops, or livestock.
Determine your target. Know your product. Adjust for conditions. Hit
your target. These are the keys to effective pesticide application. Follow
these principles and you'll:
- save money
- properly timed applications seldom have to be repeated
- properly applied pesticides minimize waste - before and after
application
- maintain high quality, safe production at lower costs
- effective applications help to maintain yields by controlling
pests
- successful pesticide use helps ensure timely harvests of quality
produce
- protect the environment and wildlife
- effective application reduces off-site impact to surface water
and wildlife habitat
- careful monitoring can help reduce direct exposure of wildlife
to pesticides
- protect people, pets, and livestock
Figure 1. Photo showing sprayer application
Best management practices for application are a good fit with your Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) program. Hitting the right pest at the right time
with the right product will help you get the quality you're looking for.
Effective Pest Control
Applying a pesticide may successfully control a pest. But it is likely
that the pest will return unless more is done. Effective pest control
takes knowledge, skills and careful planning to reduce the probability
of pest resurgence. Learning and using the principles of integrated pest
management (IPM) provides the opportunity to reduce pesticide application
and increase effectiveness.
Figure 2. Photo of producer checking calendar
IPM is a process. And the following steps should be considered before
applying pesticides.
Spraying by the calendar is not an effective means of pest control.
IPM Step 1: Diagnose the problem
Management Considerations:
- what is the pest?
- where is the pest?
- is it an economic pest problem?
- when is the pest most susceptible?
- what are the conditions that favour the pest?
Figure 3. Photo of man diagnosing a pest problem
IPM Step 2: Monitor the problem
Management Considerations:
- can the pest problem be predicted?
- what monitoring techniques are suited to the pest?
- what are the economic thresholds for the pest?
Figure 4. Photo of two producers
IPM Step 3: Control the problem
Management Considerations:
- what control measures work, and under what conditions?
- which combinations work best?
- which are practical and cost-effective?
- what should be known about pest control products?
- are there alternatives to pesticides available?
- how should the products be applied?
- how much do you need?
- how many days to harvest?
- what is the re-entry interval?
Consider pest resistance potential and choose products from different
families.
Figure 5. Photo of pest control products
IPM Step 4: Monitor the results
Management Considerations:
- did the treatments work, and is follow-up necessary?
- is there any crop/livestock damage?
- is there any off-site damage?
- how will you measure or observe this?
- is there any impact on beneficial insects, plants, fish, and wildlife?
Figure 6. Photo of producer monitoring treatment results
Timing
Timing is everything, or nearly everything. Timing related to pest growth
stage, pest pressure, the growth stage of the target crop, application
of the pesticide product, and weather conditions.
The goal of application is to hit the target with the right product at
the right time. Reaching this goal requires an understanding of the principles
affecting application: pest characteristics, crop or livestock development,
product qualities, environmental conditions, and application technology.
Factor: Farm Product
Why Timing is Important:
- some crops are susceptible to damage at certain growth stages, e.g.,
some herbicides must be applied before crop emergence
- because of crop or foliage growth patterns over the season, application
techniques should be timed appropriately
- to protect beneficial and pollinating insects, no insecticides should
be applied during flowering
- due to potential residue problems, no pesticide should be applied
to the crop closer than the days-to-harvest interval
- some livestock insecticides should not be used on young stock or on
lactating animals
Spraying too close to harvest could lead to illegal residues.
Figure 7. Photo showing sprayer application
Factor: Pest Characteristics
Why Timing is Important:
- for insects, know when pest is most susceptible
- if damage is already done during susceptible stages, it may
be wasteful and futile to apply pesticides at this time
- also, make sure that you know when it will pay to spray
- for diseases, protecting applications and preventative cultural
methods are usually best
- for weeds, know which growth stage of the target weed species is
most susceptible to control
- for some livestock pests, (e.g., warble fly), susceptibility to
control depends on life cycle stage and accessibility for treatment
Different growth stages of target weed species have varying levels
of susceptibility to control measures.
Figure 8. Photo of a weed.
Factor: Pesticide Product (Know Your Product)
Why Timing is Important:
- continued use of the same pesticide family can lead to pesticide
resistance
- contact pesticides require adequate coverage, so hitting the target
is essential
- pesticide droplets may be required on both upper and lower leaf
surfaces
- durability - due to the chemical nature of some products, washing
off, photodecomposition, intense sunlight, and microbial decomposition
will reduce durability
- additives - some additives such as adjuvants may improve the ability
of the products to spread and stick to the target
- mode (of action) - how a pesticide is intended to work will dictate
time of application, e.g., protectant fungicides must have thorough
coverage prior to the infection period for good control
Consider the relative toxicity of pesticide products to
non-target species such as songbirds.
Picture 9. Photo of a songbird.
Factor: Weather (Adjust for Conditions)
Why Timing is Important:
- contact and systemic pesticides with minimal residual qualities
may wash off if it rains immediately after application
- temperature can affect the breakdown of pesticides
- apply at time of day when there is less interference by temperature
- high temperature and low relative humidity will evaporate spray
droplets in their travels
- high winds and fine sprays will result in drift to off-site areas
- residual activity may be reduced by photodecomposition (intense
sunlight)
Some pesticides are not useful at high temperatures. Spray
in evening or morning.
Figure 10. Photo showing pesticide application
Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage,
Handling and Application
- Effective Pest Control
- IPM Steps and Management Considerations
- Factors Affecting Coverage and Drift
- Coverage versus Drift - Application Technology Factors - chart
- Distance to Target, Volume and Travel Speed, Droplet Diameter,
Windspeed and Drift
| Best
Management Practices - Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application
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