First thing to acknowledge is that herbicides, pesticides and fungicides are dangerous poisons, and can hurt or even kill you, your animals, your kids, and even your neighbors. You must acquire a private applicators license to learn how to spray your own orchard, and a restricted materials permit is required for any dangerous materials being applied.
Hearing all this, if you still want to move forward, here are some easy steps to help you be effective, and to keep you safer.
- Determine the direction of wind so the drift doesn’t pose a hazard to neighboring properties.ت Don’t spray if it is windy. Just don’t. It’s not worth it.
- Hotter temperatures cause certain chemicals to volitlize more than others which can make them drift farther.ت Keep this in mind when you point your sprayers or wand.
- Use proper PPE every time. No exceptions. Comfort is simply not an issue, safety first: Tyvek suit, rubber gloves rated for pesticide use, respirator with proper cartridges, and full eye protection are all important.
Don’t let anything land on your skin or be breathed in, and importantly, avoid spraying in ways that can effect animals, other people, or other properties.
From: Sunset Landscapes, Orland, California