What practice helps to prevent pesticide drift?

Using appropriate application techniques and equipment is key to preventing pesticide drift, which occurs when pesticide sprays move off-target due to air movement or application practices. Proper techniques include adjusting the nozzle type, spray pressure, and droplet size to create larger, heavier droplets that are less likely to be carried away by the wind. Additionally, using equipment designed for reduced drift, such as shielded sprayers or low-drift nozzles, further minimizes the risk of drift during application.

Effective training on these techniques ensures that applicators can apply pesticides in a way that significantly reduces unintended off-target movement, thereby protecting surrounding plants, wildlife, and human health. Proper application timing, such as avoiding windy conditions, is also beneficial, but adopting the right techniques and equipment is fundamentally important for controlling drift on a consistent basis.