What practice can significantly reduce drift problems during pesticide application?

Spraying when wind speed is low, such as early in the morning, is a practice that significantly reduces drift problems during pesticide application. Low wind speeds create a more stable environment for pesticide droplets, minimizing the chances of them being carried off-target by air movement. Early morning conditions often feature calmer winds and higher humidity, which further helps in ensuring that the applied pesticides remain on the intended area rather than drifting away.

In contrast, applying pesticides when wind speeds exceed 10 mph can lead to increased drift, as stronger winds are more likely to disperse the droplets over greater distances, potentially impacting nearby plants, water bodies, and non-target organisms. Additionally, using high spray pressures to create smaller droplets may seem advantageous for penetration, but it actually increases the likelihood of drift. Smaller droplets are more susceptible to wind movement than larger droplets, making drift a significant concern. Spraying only during temperature inversions is not advisable either, as inversions can trap pesticide vapors close to the ground, leading to potential toxicity to non-target organisms and increased drift risks when conditions change.