Nebraska Pesticide Right Of Way Practice Exam

The most effective control for airborne pesticide drift is large droplet size. When pesticides are applied, smaller droplets are more susceptible to being carried away by wind, increasing the chance of drift to non-target areas. Larger droplets, on the other hand, are heavier and are less likely to be affected by wind currents. Consequently, when using a spray system that produces larger droplets, the likelihood of drift is significantly reduced, and the product can be applied more accurately to the intended target area, maximizing efficacy and minimizing environmental impact.

While high humidity might influence evaporation rates and wind direction can affect the path of spray particles, these factors do not inherently change the physical characteristics of the droplets themselves, which is crucial for minimizing drift. Warm temperatures can increase evaporation and worsen drift potential as well. Therefore, focusing on droplet size is a more direct and effective method for controlling drift when applying pesticides.