Biopesticides are no longer tools only for organic growers. Most bios are great additions to a traditional IPM program. Because they are effective and employ different modes of action, biopesticides can be effective tools for any grower. However, most have special considerations for application. Understanding these issues and how they apply to different application methods can improve the efficacy of these products and prevent some messes along the way.
Dramm offers over 50 different pieces of equipment to apply pesticides. Each method has strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right sprayer for any job depends greatly on minimizing the impacts of the weaknesses and playing to the strengths. The Dramm team is great at helping growers align their needs with different equipment. When applying biocontrol products, this is no different, but there are some special considerations that might not apply with standard pesticides.
When applying biopesticides there are four main areas of concern that may affect the product. Pressure, filtration, solution volume and concentration, and the temperature of the equipment may all impact biopesticides. For instance, hydraulic sprayers may build pressure to a level that some biocontrol agents are damaged as a result. Most spray equipment utilizes filtration to protect nozzles and pumps that might filter out larger biopesticide components. Solution volumes may present an issue when the equipment requires more concentrated solutions, as many bio-products have solubility limits that might exceed the ability of the water to dissolve the products at concentrated rates. Finally, the temperature of the equipment may damage some products, reducing their efficacy.
The chart below compares the different factors to consider against the types of equipment being used to apply pest control products. Green signifies there is little to no concern. Yellow means that there may be issues and red means there are often significant issues with these factors.
As there are a variety of different biopesticides, this chart does not suggest that all products will have problems. It is important to understand the various chemistries and the effects of the factors listed above on the specific products. For instance, some living bio-control products are very heat sensitive. However, others have no heat sensitivity. Some bios are very soluble, while others are not. Work with your chemical manufacturer or Dramm to help determine if your products need special consideration.
In general, the Dramm team is well equipped to help you make the most of your biopesticide applications. Dramm works with the various industry chemical providers to understand their products, test them for efficacy with different application methods and develop strategies to ensure the best result. In addition to our team, Dramm offers a forum on our website that discusses various areas of our equipment, including special mixing instructions and considerations. We have many years of experience and a great deal of pest and product knowledge to help make these applications succeed.
