What is an effective practice to minimize harmful effects when using ULV sprayers?

Monitoring weather conditions is an effective practice to minimize harmful effects when using ULV (Ultra Low Volume) sprayers. Weather conditions can significantly influence the dispersion and effectiveness of pesticide sprays. For example, wind can carry spray droplets away from the target area or cause them to drift towards unintended locations, which can lead to environmental contamination and increased risk to non-target organisms, including humans, beneficial insects, and wildlife.

Additionally, factors such as temperature and humidity can affect how pesticides evaporate and remain suspended in the air, impacting their efficacy and safety. By monitoring conditions like wind speed, direction, and temperature, applicators can choose optimal times and methods for spraying, ensuring that the pesticides are applied in a manner that maximizes their effectiveness while minimizing potential risks.

The other practices mentioned might seem related to effective spraying but do not contribute to minimizing harmful effects as directly as monitoring weather conditions does. Increasing pressure may result in a finer mist that could drift more easily, decreasing the spray angle could hinder coverage, and using sprays only during the day might not consider the overall safety and efficacy parameters dictated by environmental conditions.