When is the likelihood of pesticide drift the highest?

The likelihood of pesticide drift is highest during conditions of high temperatures and low humidity. When temperatures are elevated, the volatility of many pesticides can increase, causing them to evaporate more quickly. This means that small aerosolized droplets can more easily become airborne. Additionally, low humidity levels reduce the ability of the droplets to coalesce into larger particles, allowing them to remain suspended in the air and potentially drift away from the target application site.

Calm days with no wind may seem like an ideal condition for applying pesticides to reduce drift. However, when there is little to no air movement, droplets may not disperse quickly and can linger in the air longer without being blown onto intended areas, but overall, the potential for drift due to volatility still remains prevalent during high temperatures and low humidity.

Overall, understanding weather conditions is critical for minimizing pesticide drift and ensuring effective pest control.