2025 | Verified and Graded A+
Inert ingredients - Ingredients used to improve the performance of a pesticide by
affecting characteristics such as handling, persistence on foliage, safety, ease of application, and
ability to mix with water.
Dry Flowables (DF)/Water dispersible granules (WDG) - Form a suspension when mixed
with water ad require less agitation than wettable powders.
Dusts (D) - Formulations of pesticides on a dry particle that are designed to be applied
dry. Formerly widely used, few dust formulations are currently made.
Emulsifiable concentrates (EC or E) - Common liquid formulations of pesticides which
have active ingredients that are insoluble in water. These formulations include the addition of
an emulsifier which allows the pesticide to mix with water, forming a "milky" suspension.
Flowables (F) - formulations of pesticides which can only be produced in solid or semi
solid form. They are often ground into a fine powder and suspended in liquid.
Granulars (G) - dry formulations mixed onto fairly large particles of clay, ground corn cob,
or walnut hulls. They are applied as formulated and not mixed.
Microencapsulated pesticides - impregnated into tiny, slow release plastic beads and
mixed into a liquid
Soluble powders (SP or S) - dry formulations of pesticides that will go into true solutions
when mixed with water. These pesticides may also be formulated as liquids
Wettable powders (WP or W) - formulated on a dry particle and contain ingredients that
allow the particles to mix with water. The mixture is called a suspension.
Adjuvants - added ingredients to a pesticide to reduce the number of fine droplets and
thereby decrease drift, increase the effectiveness and make the application easier
Surfactant - used to improve spread of spray mixture on foliage. Mostly used on plants
with waxy or hairy leaves.
Stickers - improve the weatherability of a spray deposit
, Synergists - increase the activity of insecticides by blocking the ability of an insect from
breaking down the insecticide
Penetrants - used to increase uptake of herbicides into plant
Buffers - used in spray tanks to decrease break down of the pesticides that occurs from
exposure to alkaline water conditions
An applicator must have what information before performing an equipment calibration and
making an application? - -What is the total area (square ft, acres) that you will be
treating?
-Decide what equipment should be used. Some labels recommend certain equipment
-Determine application rate of your application equipment. You need: nozzle flow rate, traveling
speed, operating pressure
-What is the total amount of solution your spray tank can hold and how much area you plan to
treat
-How much pesticide/carrier to add to tank. Refer to label to determine proper application rate.
Hydraulic sprayers - Make a spot, band, or broadcast treatments. Water is the most
frequent carrier. The pesticide solution is forced through the spraying system at a specific
pressure and speed. Can be towed, self propelled, or mounted on other equipment.
Low pressure sprayers - deliver low to moderate volumes at 15-80 psi. These sprayers
cannot usually penetrate dense foliage.
Small capacity sprayers - backpack sprayers, sprayers used to hand treat small areas or
hard to reach areas. Capable of spot spraying or broadcast spraying.
Drop Spreader - Also called gravity spreaders, apply coarse, uniformly sized dry particles
to soil and turf. An adjustable sliding gate opens the the outlet holes and the granules flow out
by gravity feed. Deliver and more precise pattern than rotary spreaders.
Rotary spreaders - Distribute granules by means of a spinning disc or fan. Both power and
hand driven models are available. Most rotary spreaders include a swath width of 6-8 feet. they
cover area faster than drop spreaders. Drift can be a problem with rotary spreaders.
Steps to prepare for calibration - - Be sure that your sprayer nozzle tips are the right kind
for the spray application you want to make
-clean and inspect all nozzles, nozzle tips, and screens