Ch 5 Iowa Core Manual

Chapter 5 Pesticide Formulations

Define "pesticide formulation" and identify common abbreviations used to describe formulations

Pesticide formulation is active and inactive/inert ingredients such as dyes, stabilizers, solvents ect.

·       A -Aerosols 

·       B- Bait

·       C- Concentrate

·       D- Dust

·       DF- Dry flowable

·       E or EC- Emulsifiable concentrate

·       F- Flowable

·       G- Granule

·       L- Liquid

·       LC- Liquid concentrate or low concentrate

·       M or ME- Microencapsulated

·       P or PS- Pellets

·       RTU- Ready-to-use

·       S- Solution

·       SP- Soluble powder or soluble packet

·       ULV- Ultra low volume

·       W or WP- Wettable powder

·       WDG- Water-dispersible granule

·       WSP- Water soluble powder or water-soluble packet

Identify factors to consider when choosing a formulation

 single active ingredient may be sold in different formulations. If you find that more than one formulation is available for your pest control situation, you should choose the best one for each use by considering the following factors:

·       Applicator safety - Different formulations present different degrees of hazard to the applicator. In addition, the hazards of exposure to other people must be considered.

·       Environment - The environment must be identified (agricultural, aquatic, forest, urban, etc.) and the hazards of drift or runoff in these environments must be assessed.

·       Plant, animal, or surface to be protected - Some formulations may be phytotoxic, absorbed by the animal, or corrosive (capable of pitting or marring surfaces).

·       Pest biology - Habits and growth patterns of the pest may determine which formulation will provide optimal results.

·       Application equipment - Some formulations require specialized equipment.

·       Cost - Prices of different products and formulations can vary considerably.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of common formulation types

Aerosols-Portable and easily stored, retain potency, but risk of inhalation, risk of puncture or explosion, difficult to confine and target

Smoke or Fog generators-easy to fill entire space, but highly specialized equipment, difficult to confine, may need respiratory protection

Emulsifiable Concentrates- easy to handle, transport and store, will not plug screens/nozzles, low visible residue, BUT may be phytotoxic, easily absorbed through skin, may be corrosive and cause pitting or discoloration of surfaces.

Flowables/Liquids- Easy to handle, transport and store, BUT Require moderate agitation to keep in suspension, May leave a visible residue, May be abrasive

ULV-

Baits-

Dusts-

Granules-

Describe ways to determine whether two pesticides can be safely mixed together for application

Test the mixture before application, after reading all pertinent labels to make sure the mixing is not prohibited

Define "pesticide incompatibility" and describe two types

Incompatibility is a situation in which pesticides do not mix together properly to form a uniform solution or suspension.

Physical Incompatibility occurs when the mixture separates, forms putty, or curdles. This is usually due to incompatibility, mixing procedures, or lack of emulsifiers.

Chemical Incompatibility occurs when a chemical reaction takes place while mixing pesticides in the spray tank and the reaction alters the activity of the products.

Recognize the purpose of adjuvants and define several types

An adjuvant is added to pesticide mixtures to help improve the mixing, application, or effectiveness of the pesticide.

Surfactants-alter surface tension and increase spread

Stickers- increase bonding of particles to the target surface.

Plant Penetrants- improve pesticide penetration