Spray Drift Management

This practical guide focuses on managing the risks of spray drift and includes information on appropriate handing practices to ensure a safe workplace.

Increased public concern about pesticides requires that foresters reduce drift and insure precise application of herbicides to the areas requiring treatment. Drift control is necessary near waterways and other ecologically sensitive areas. This publication discusses available drift control adjuvants for herbicidal sprays. These include invert emulsions, thickening agents, particulating agents, and foam sprays. Commercially available adjuvants are described and their use, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed. Thickening agents and foam sprays show special promise for drift reduction in aerial application of herbicides on forest lands.