chapter 10 planning the pesticide application

The Basics

1. Select the right pesticide to achieve the objective

2. Review and understand the pesticide label

3. Test for compatibility

4. Wear the correct PPE (per label requirements)

5. Transfer and mix pesticides safely

6. Clean up

Basic Application Sequence:
Select the right pesticide → Review the label → Test compatibility → Wear correct PPE → Transfer and mix safely → Clean up.

choosing the right pesticide

Read the Label Prior to Purchase

• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

• Safety measures and precautionary statements

• Application methods

• Timing

• Use restrictions

• Droplet size

Why read the label before purchase?

• Ensures you have the required PPE

• Confirms the pesticide can be used for your situation

• Identifies restrictions and application requirements

• Helps prevent safety and legal issues

• Helps reduce pesticide drift through proper droplet size selection

Determining Pesticide Compatibility

• Tank mixing multiple pesticides saves time and labor

• Some chemicals are compatible (play well together)

  • Others are incompatible

• Types of incompatibility:

  • Physical incompatibility

  • Chemical incompatibility

Physical Incompatibility

• Pesticides failing to stay uniformly mixed (separation)

• Can result in a putty/paste-like substance

• Can develop into a cottage cheese-like substance

Caused By

• Improper mixing protocols

• Insufficient agitation

• Lack of stable emulsifiers

• Mixing with fertilizers

• High pH levels

Chemical Incompatibility

Signs of Chemical Incompatibility

• Heat

• Color change

• Gas formation

• Precipitation

• Scum

• Foam

• Sludge

• Gel

Two Types of Chemical Incompatibility

• Pesticidal activity reduced by the combination

• Enhanced pesticidal activity

  • Can weaken the selective nature of products

Other Considerations

• Some labels list specific incompatibilities

• Treat the entire mixture with the more restrictive signal word

Conducting a Compatibility Test

• Use a jar or small container

  • Plastic or glass

• Mix amounts equally proportionate to what you would mix in your spray tank

• Shake the jar

• Wait 10–15 minutes for results

Products are Incompatible If:

• Flakes form

• Sludge forms

• Gel forms

• Precipitates form

• Other solids form

• Products separate

• Heat is generated

• start by filling the jar one fifth to one half full with the carrier water or liquid fertilizer. then add proportionate amounts of each product, one at a time, in the order suggested under “making tank mixes”

Tank Mixing Order of Operations

1. Fill tank 20–50% full of carrier and begin agitation

2. Add a compatibility agent if needed

3. Add suspension products

   • Dry products: WP wettable powders, DF dry flowables, WDG water dispersable gradnules

   • Then liquids: F flowables, L liquids, ME microencapsulated

4. Add solutions

   • S solutions, SP soluable powders

5. Add surfactants or adjuvants (if necessary)

6. Add emulsion products

   • EC

Mixing Order

1. Carrier + agitation

2. Compatibility agent

3. Suspension products (WP, DF, WDG → F, L, ME)

4. Solutions (S, SP)

5. Surfactants/adjuvants

6. Emulsions (EC)

Following Safe Mixing & Loading Practices

• Mixing and loading concentrated pesticides increases the risk of accidental exposure and poisoning

When Mixing & Loading

• Work in a well-ventilated, well-lit area

• Stay away from:

  • People

  • Animals

  • Food

Protect Water Sources

• Be sure back-siphoning cannot occur

• Leave an air gap

• Mix pesticides where spills, leaks, and overflows cannot flow into a body of water or drainage system

• Use a containment pad

Use PPE & Handle Containers Properly

Body Protection

• Apron

• Coveralls

• Built-in gloves

• Long sleeves

Face & Eye Protection

• Face shield

• Goggles

• Safety glasses with shield

Respiratory Protection

• Wear a respirator according to the pesticide label

Open Containers Carefully

• Use scissors, not a knife

• Close containers after each use, even if you plan to mix more later

Accurate Measurements

• Use plastic or glass measurement tools

  • Some pesticides react to metal

• Mark each measuring device for each product

• Clean measuring tools after each use

• When not in use, keep measuring tools locked in the pesticide storage area

Transferring Pesticides Carefully

• After measuring, carefully add into mixture

• Pour below face level

• Rinse measuring containers

  • Use caution to prevent splashing

• Never leave spray tank unattended while filling

• Avoid inhalation if using dry powders

Container Rinsing Procedures

Containers 5 gallons or less – Triple Rinse Procedure

• Empty remaining contents into application equipment

• Fill container 25% with water, shake, and pour rinsate into application equipment

• Repeat two more times

Containers over 5 gallons

• Empty contents into application equipment

• Fill container 25% with water

• Tip container back and forth, making a full revolution for 30 seconds

• Repeat several times

• Empty rinsate into application equipment

Repeat two more times

for bags and liners completely empty bag or liner by shaking and tapping sides and bottom to loosen clingining particles. Empty residude into application equipment or a mix tank or store for later use or disposal

to pressure rinse containers empty the remaining contnents into applicatin equipment or a miz tank drain for 10 seconds after the flow begins to drip. Hold container upside down over application equipment or a mix tank or collect rinsate for later use or disposal. Insert pressure rinsing nozzle in the side of the container and rinse at about 40 pounds per square inch for at least 30 seconds. Drain for 10 seconds after the flow begins to drip.

Applying Pesticides Correctly

• By law, applicators must wear PPE.

• Exposure is likely when handling hand-held equipment.

Applications performed on foot

• Applicators can walk through treated areas.

• Use shin-high or knee-high boots to prevent exposure.

• Wear spray-resistant/waterproof pants.

Certain applications are high exposure risk

• Mist blowers

• Air blasters

• Aerosol applicators

• Foggers

• High-pressure sprayers

• Overhead applications

Application Procedures

1. Prior to application

• Clear the area.

• Cover furniture, pools, birdbaths, pet dishes, and toys.

• Check REI (Restricted Entry Interval).

• Keep people out of the area until it is safe to re-enter.

2. Make sure the pesticide is reaching the target

• Blow granules off sidewalks, roads, and driveways.

3. Apply evenly

• You may need to shut off equipment at times.

• Do not apply in puddles.

4. Check mixtures

• Make sure mixtures maintain a uniform mix and appearance.

• Some products require more agitation than others.

5. Check equipment

• Hoses

• Valves

• Pumps

• Diaphragms

• Nozzles

6. Turn off equipment when not in use

7. Check the label for post-application requirements

Cleaning After Mixing, Loading, and Application

Cleaning Procedures

• Clean equipment inside and out after use.

• especially sprayers make sure to check those. the educator, plumbing, which includes valves and hoses, filters, screens bloom segments, nozzle bodies and nozzle screens

Rinsates

• Do not allow rinsates to enter drainage systems, wells, or water systems.

• Collect and apply rinsates in application equipment according to label recommendations.

• Make sure the amount of pesticide in the mixture and rinsate does not exceed the label rate.

• Use rinsates to dilute a mixture containing the same pesticide or a compatible pesticide.

Rinsate may NOT be added to a mixture if:

• It contains strong cleaning agents.

• It would alter the pesticide mixture due to compatibility issues.

Professionalism

Importance of Pesticide Applicators

Pesticide applicators provide important services that are valuable:

• Safe and plentiful food supply

• Public health

• Protection of landscapes and structures

• Protecting land and water ecosystems

• Enhancing quality of life

• Safe roadways

Professionalism

Professionalism is what you do, how you do it, your conduct, and your actions.

A professional demonstrates:

• Skill

• Good judgment

• Polite behavior

• Proper training to do the job well

Education is Critical

• Educate others on what you do.

• Minimize risks to yourself, coworkers, the public, and the environment.

• Learn how to communicate the benefits and risks of pesticides.

Professional Practices

• Don't take shortcuts.

• Offer honest, knowledgeable advice.

• Operate an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program.

• Know and use correct terminology.

before applying

consider the liufe cycle of the pest, environmental conditions, and product labels. preharvest and or grazing interval and the rotational or replanting interval. check to see if the label wants you to add a adjuvant to the spray mxture to make application more efficient.

rinsates

rinsates from equipment that has been cleaned contain pesticides and can harm people and the environment. Do not allow for rinsates to flow into water systems, including sink or floor drains, storm sewers, wells, streams, lakes, or rivers. If possible rinse your equipment at the application site. ALso collect and apply rinsates to labeled sites at or below label rates.

water detergents

8 to 16 onces of detergent in 30 to 40 gallons of water. allow the solution to circulate through the system for several minutes.

storing sprayer.

add 1 to 5 gallons of light weight oil before flushing.

Determining when to apply a pesticide considering the

Life cycle of the pest and weather conditions.

The “Directions for Use” section of a pesticide label indicates the:

Various crops or areas on which the pesticide may be legally used.

When two or more pesticides are mixed together and form a putty or paste, separate into layers, or look like cottage cheese, it is an example of:

Physical incompatibility.

After filling a tank one-fifth to one-half full with carrier, what is the usual order for tank mixing the remaining products?

Add compatibility agent (if needed), add suspension products, add solution products, add surfactants (if needed), add emulsion products.

Which statement about the proper technique for opening pesticide containers is true?

Use a sharp knife or scissors to open paper or cardboard containers.

Which statement about measuring and/or transferring pesticides is true?

After adding the pesticide to the partially filled spray tank, rinse the measuring container and pour the rinse solution into the tank.

Which statement about cleaning and disposing of pesticide containers is true?

• Containers must be disposed of in accordance with label directions and current regulations.

Which statement about triple-rinsing and pressure-rinsing pesticide containers is true?

Rinsate from triple rinsing or pressure rinsing may be stored for later use.

Which statement about pesticide rinsates is true?

Rinsates may be applied to labeled target sites at or below label rates.

Which statement about pesticide equipment cleanup is false?

Leftover pesticide residue in the spray tank is permitted when changing products. (False)