MSU Extension Pesticide Education Turfgrass Pest Management (Category 3A) Pesticide Application Chapter 4

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Thinking applicator

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Selecting a Pesticide n Labeled for the pest or site. n Produces desired level of control. n Least disruptive to the environment.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Selecting a Pesticide n Non-phytotoxic. n Economically practical. n Compatible with turf management. n Acceptable to the public.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Classifying Pesticides n Type of pest controlled. n Pesticide chemistry. n Mode of action. n Pesticide formulation.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education To use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label is a violation of federal and state law.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Type of Pest Controlled n Insecticide n Acaricide n Nematicide n Fungicide n Rodenticide n Avicide n Herbicide Ô Insects Ô Mites and ticks Ô Nematodes Ô Fungi Ô Rats and rodents Ô Birds Ô Weeds

MSU Extension Pesticide Education

Select “Caution” pesticides when possible and avoid RUP’s!

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Pesticide Mode of Action n Broad spectrum n Residual pesticide n Protectant n Systemic n Contact n Nonselective herbicide n Selective Herbicide

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Pesticide Formulations n When selecting, consider: –Application method –Ease of storage and mixing –Risk when handling –Risk of moving off target –Cost

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Pesticide Formulations n Emulsifiable Concentrates: E, EC n Wettable Powders: WP n Soluble Powders: SP n Flowable: F, L n Granules: G n Baits

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Be familiar with your equipment specifications.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Pesticide Application Equipment n Granular spreaders n Spray output equipment n Controlled droplet (CDA) n Small-capacity sprayers n Hydraulic sprayers

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Granular Spreaders n Drop (gravity) spreaders –pattern= width of spreader –uniform coverage or target area F abrupt edges n Rotary spreaders –coverage wider than spreader F overlap required for uniformity F drift to nontarget areas

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Spray Equipment n Traditional spray guns n Shower head gun –Large droplets –Low pressure n Spray wand n Spray booms

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Spray Nozzles n Nozzles are classified by: –Spray delivery pattern –Spray angle –Discharge rate –Construction material n Nozzles used outside of specified rates and pressure will not work accurately.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Nozzle Types n Flat pattern 4 Uniform when boom is at proper height. n Broadcast pattern 4 Not uniform.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Nozzle Types n Flooding fan n Hollow cone 4Best for direct spraying not boom.  Not as uniform as flat fan  Not as uniform as flat fan.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Abrasive materials, like wettable powders, cause nozzles to wear. Worn nozzles alter application rates. Calibrate, check, and replace worn nozzles.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Controlled Droplet Applicators n Commonly called: –Rotary spray nozzles or spinning disk n Droplet size is uniform; varies with: –Cup diameter –Speed –Flow rates n Uses limited water.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Small-Capacity Sprayers n Used for small areas and spot treatments: –Most are hand sprayers –Most use compressed air –May have a wand, gun, small boom –Tank pressure drops as solution is sprayed –Minimal agitation -- WPs settle

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Hydraulic Sprayers n Used for most large scale applications. n Spray material delivered through: –Hand held gun –Boom n High and low pressures possible. n Large capacity tanks available.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education How you apply a pesticide is equally as important to pest management as your choice of the pesticide product and application equipment.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Apply only the amount of pesticide necessary to obtain the desired level of pest control.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Application Techniques –Apply only where pests are located. –Don’t allow activities to reduce effectiveness: F Rain, not watering-in, etc. –Tailor applications to pest habits: F Water-in grub control materials

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Applying Granular Products n Fill equipment on paved surface. n Make “header” strips around the property. –Keep material off paved surfaces and out of flower beds n Treat property will parallel swaths. –Use correct overlap –Turn off spreader before header strip

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Applying Granular Products n Keep spreader level. n Walk at consistent pace. n Don’t stop without shutting off spreader. n Don’t operate backwards –Application may change

MSU Extension Pesticide Education

Before Spraying n Put on protective gear. n Rinse and clean system. n After filling, check for leaks. n Adjust equipment according to recommendations and label. n Limit drift. n Check for uniform output.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education During Spray Applications n Wear protective gear.… label. n Operate according to owner’s manual. n Check for nozzle clogging or pattern changes. n Clean nozzles with a soft tool, not metal. n Never unclog a nozzle by blowing through it.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education After Spraying n Flush hoses, tanks, nozzles. n Wipe off residues. n Clean equipment before: –Making repairs –Switching pesticides n Check operation and repair. n Re-use rinse water. n Do not use herbicide- designated equipment for other applications.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Applying Pesticide Sprays n Point showerhead nozzle away from legs and feet. n Do not drape hose around neck or waist. n Concentrate on accuracy: –Walking speed, pressure, pattern.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Applying Pesticide Sprays n Spray in parallel swaths. n Use straight edges as a starting guide. n Maintain straight walking lines. n Maintain proper overlap. n “Trim” margins: –Margins only receive 1/2 rates and need an adjusted application.

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Records Pesticide Record Keeping Regulation 636 n Address of application n Name and concentration of pesticide n Amount of pesticide n Target pest or purpose n Method and rate of application

Pesticide Record Keeping Keep general use pesticide application records for at least one year, and keep RUP application records three years.

Other helpful information may include... Name of applicator Certification number EPA registration number Date of last calibration Time of application Weather conditions Specific treated area Target pest stage

MSU Extension Pesticide Education Pesticide use record sheet.