Tips to Reduce Offsite Movement of Pesticides

Stewardship through the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) are aimed at minimizing off-site movement to waterways and sensitive sites.  These practices, when followed with product label directions, can provide growers and applicators the necessary tools to complete a successful spray application while minimizing potential environmental impacts.

1. Know the droplet spectrum of each nozzle (available from nozzle distributors).

2. Use nozzles with volume median diameter (VMD) appropriate to the pesticide being applied (check with County Agricultural Commissioner for local requirements).

3. Replace worn nozzles when necessary with newer, more effective nozzles.

4. Use nozzles that provide adequate coverage at the largest possible droplet size and the recommended droplet size spectrum to reduce drift while maintaining efficacy.

5. Consider sprayer controllers that adjust nozzle output based on ground speed. Be sure to understand the limitations of the controller and select the proper nozzle for use with the speed range you expect.  Do not allow the pressure to get too low as to cause streaking or too high as to cause excessive fine droplets.

6. Avoid ground spraying when wind speed is greater than 10 mph.  Avoid spraying when wind is blowing toward nearby waterways or sensitive sites. 

7. Maintain an adequate buffer zone (untreated area from edge of spray swath to sensitive area) to protect waterways and sensitive sites.  Check with the product label and county agricultural commissioner for specific requirements.

8. Always shut off nozzles when making row turns.  Start spraying only when nozzles are adjacent to the first trees in the row. 

9. Shut off outward facing nozzles when spraying the outside row, directing spray inward only.

Source: Excerpted from various CURES BMP Publications, Dec. 2006