Pesticide Formulations Substitutes for Common Pesticide Formulations Kevin Fry Extension Educator, Agronomy 724-548-3447 CMEG PENN STATE Crop Management Extension Group

Instructions Match household product with its similar pesticide formulation type. Write product name in box next to the formulation it best represents.

Pesticide Formulations Household Products

Foot Powder

Pepto-Bismal & V8

Mayonnaise

Detergent Gelpacs & Liquacaps

Pine-Sol

Cocoa & Flour

Cat Litter & Grape-nuts

Vicks VapoRub

Hair Spray

White Grape Juice

Drink Mix & Corn Starch

Glass Cleaner

Toothpaste & Granola Bar

Grits & Dry Milk

Contac Cold Medicine

Guinea Pig/Rabbit Food

Pesticide Formulations Answers

#1. Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) Emulsion; fine liquid particles suspended in another liquid Forms cloudy mixture when mixed with water Homogenized milk Dual II Magnum Prowl 3.3EC

#2. Solution (S) / Concentrated Solution (C or LC) Liquid that will form a true aqueous solution Banvel / Clarity 4S Roundup Weathermax 4.5S

#3. Flowable (F or L) Fine solid particles dispersed (suspended) in a liquid Atrazine 4L Princep 4L Callisto 4SC

#4. Dust (D) Fine solid particles Ready to use Not water-soluble Copper Dragon Easy Garden 10%

#5. Granule (G) Small particles Ready to use Not water-soluble Diazinon, Ant Killer Lorsban 15G “Weed and Feed”

#6. Pellet (P or PS) Formed small- to medium-sized particles Ready to use Not water-soluble DowAgro 1/8” “blanks” Spike 20P

#7. Wettable Powder (W or WP) Relatively insoluble fine-particle solid that forms a suspension Not a true solution Karmex Pounce 25WP

#8. Water-Dispersible Granules (WDG) / Dry Flowables (DF) Small particles of a wettable powder Will form a suspension Not a true solution Option 35WDG Steadfast 75DF

#9. Soluble Powder (SP or WSP) Fine- or medium-particle sized solid that will dissolve in water to form a true solution Roundup Pro Dry Ambush 25WSP

#10. Water Soluble Packaging (Gel Pack) A semi-solid colloid (jelly) packaged in water-soluble film. Buctril Gel “Toss and go” packaging

#11. Aerosol (A) Fine airborne particles/droplets plus a propellant D-Con House and Garden Bug repellent DEET

#12. Bait (B) Attractant/feeding stimulant + food + pesticide MaxAttrax Ant Feeding Attack brand Beetle Trap Trails End Molluscicide

#13. Invert Emulsion (IE) An emulsion in which the active ingredient is dispersed in oil rather than in water Usually a thick mixture Certain roadside non-crop products

#14. Microencapsulated (ME) Coated or encased units – time release Prowl H2O MicroTech BioBarrier

#15. Ready-to-Use (RTU) Solution or suspension diluted to use rate Roundup RTU

#16. ULV/Fog/Smoke Fine particles/ droplets suspended in air Raid concentrate fogger

So what!? Why are formulations important? Storage – dry vs. liquid; concentrated? Handling – dry vs. liquid, do you have preference? Mixing and Loading

Mixing and Loading Mixing and loading order can be determined by the formulation if not specified on the label.

Formulation Tank Mixing Order Fill tank ¼ to ½ full with water or carrier and begin agitation Adjuvants used for anti-foaming, buffers, compatibility, AMS, etc.

Formulation Tank Mixing Order Fill tank ¼ to ½ full with water or carrier and begin agitation Adjuvants used for anti-foaming, buffers, compatibility, AMS, etc. Dry products (WP, WDG, DF, WSP) Liquid Flowables (F or L)

Formulation Tank Mixing Order Fill tank ¼ to ½ full with water or carrier and begin agitation Adjuvants used for anti-foaming, buffers, compatibility, AMS, etc. Dry products (WP, WDG, DF, WSP) Liquid Flowables (F or L) Microencapsulated (ME) Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC)

Formulation Tank Mixing Order Fill tank ¼ to ½ full with water or carrier and begin agitation Adjuvants used for anti-foaming, buffers, compatibility, AMS, etc. Dry products (WP, WDG, DF, WSP) Liquid Flowables (F or L) Microencapsulated (ME) Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) Liquid solutions (S, C, LC) usually clear Adjuvants used for herbicide efficacy enhancement (COC, NIS, MSO)

Formulation Tank Mixing Order Fill tank ¼ to ½ full with water or carrier and begin agitation Adjuvants used for anti-foaming, buffers, compatibility, AMS, etc. Dry products (WP, WDG, DF, WSP) Liquid Flowables (F or L) Microencapsulated (ME) Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) Liquid solutions (S, C, LC) usually clear Adjuvants used for herbicide efficacy enhancement (COC, NIS, MSO) Add water/carrier to desired level

Remember acronym W.A.L.E.S* W – WP, WDG, DF, WSP A – Agitate L – Liquid Flowables E – Emulsifiable Concentrates S – Surfactants *Read each product label for product-specific mixing instructions.

Notes on Sprayer Mixing Start with a clean tank. Leftovers may cause unforeseen problems Always use clean water Make a slurry of each dry formulation before adding to tank Agitate thoroughly before adding each product Spray solution and clean tank after each days use

Notes on Sprayer Mixing Certain insecticides and/or fungicides can be tank mixed with herbicides—check the product label If you question the compatibility of a tank mixture, use the JAR TEST

Jar Test Better to have gel, precipitate, sludge, or concrete in a jar rather than in your sprayer, hoses, pumps, and tips.

Jar Test Labeled combinations of herbicides with fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides are difficult to find.

Jar Test Safety Always wear PPE when pouring or mixing pesticides. Perform this test in a safe area away from food and sources of ignition. Pesticide used in this test should be put into the spray tank when completed and applied to a labeled site. Rinse all utensils and jars, and pour rinse water into spray tank.

Jar Test In two 1-quart jars, add 1 pint of carrier in each Add ¼ teaspoon of compatibility agent to one jar (equivalent to 2 pints per 100 gal)

Jar Test In two 1-quart jars, add 1 pint of carrier in each Add ¼ teaspoon of compatibility agent to one jar (equivalent to 2 pints per 100 gal) To each jar, add the required amount (see below) of pesticide in proper order When all ingredients have been added, shake both jars for 15 seconds and allow to stand for at least 15 minutes. Then inspect for flakes, sludge, gels, etc., which may indicate incompatibility.

Jar Test In two 1-quart jars, add 1 pint of carrier in each. Add ¼ teaspoon of compatibility agent to one jar (equivalent to 2 pints per 100 gal). To each jar, add the required amount (see below) of pesticide in proper order. When all ingredients have been added, shake both jars for 15 seconds and allow to stand for at least 15 minutes. Then inspect for flakes, sludge, gels, etc., which may indicate incompatibility. Compare the two jars, one with the compatibility agent and one without. Decide if the mixture can be sprayed with or without the compatibility agent or even at all.

Required Amounts of Pesticide for Jar Tests For dry rates (16oz per lb) 1 lb/A = 1.5 teaspoons For liquid rates (16 fl oz = 1 pint; 2 pints = 1 quart) 1 pint/A = 0.5 teaspoon 1 qt/A = 1.0 teaspoon Jar test rates based upon 25 gal per acre sprayer delivery rate.

Required Amounts of Pesticide for Jar Tests For low liquid rates (< 8 oz) Fill quart jar half full of water Add label rate of pesticide (Ex. 0.67 oz/A Accent) Fill remainder of jar (32 oz) Add one teaspoon of dilute solutions to jar test

Sample Jar Test Questions? Use quart jars to simulate actual jar test. Jar test #1 – Fill 2 jars half full of water. Add enough oil to make a ¼ - ½ inch layer. Add a few drops of Dawn detergent soap (compatibility agent) Shake both jars, observe right away and again in a few minutes. Would you spray either of the mixtures? Jar test #2 – Fill 2 jars half full of warm water with 3-4 tea bags (PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME). Add a few teaspoons (at least 3) of milk to both jars. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to one jar. Shake both jars and observe after a few minutes. Would you spray either of the mixtures? Jar test #3 – Fill 2 jars half full of water. Add a tablespoon of baking powder (or soda) to each jar. Add a ¼ to ½ cup of vinegar to one jar. Shake both jars and observe after a few minutes. Would you spray either of the mixtures?

This presentation was developed by Kevin Fry, Penn State Extension Educator in Armstrong County. Use of this presentation or parts of this presentation is encouraged as long as this credit slide is included. This presentation was adapted from a hands-on presentation and handouts given by Pat Hipkins, Senior Research Associate and Assistant Coordinator of the Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs, at the Northeastern Region Pesticide Safety Education Center Workshop in September 2005. All product photographs in this presentation were taken by Kevin Fry, Penn State Extension Educator in Armstrong County. The mixing and loading photographs in this presentation were taken from pesticidepics.com, the National Pesticide Media Database on the Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs web site. Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by the Penn State College of Agriculture Sciences is implied. “Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.” © The Pennsylvania State University 2006 February 2006