Which factors can increase pesticide drift?

Higher temperatures and small droplet size are factors that can significantly increase pesticide drift. When temperatures are elevated, the volatility of certain pesticide formulations may increase, causing the active ingredients to evaporate more quickly and be carried away by air currents. Additionally, small droplet sizes increase the likelihood that droplets will be influenced by wind and air movements, allowing them to travel further from the intended target area. This enhances the risk of drift, which can negatively affect nearby crops, wildlife, and human health.

Choosing large droplet sizes and calm winds is actually associated with reducing drift because larger droplets are less likely to be carried away by the wind. Applying pesticides early in the morning when humidity is higher can also help minimize drift, as the heavier, moist air can keep droplets closer to the ground. Although using older equipment might not be as efficient or effective, it is not necessarily a direct contributor to increased drift in the same way that temperature and droplet size directly influence droplet behavior in the atmosphere.