Why are dust formulations usually NOT used outdoors on a large scale?

Dust formulations are primarily not used outdoors on a large scale due to their propensity to drift away from the intended target area. This characteristic makes them less reliable for outdoor applications, as environmental factors such as wind can easily disperse the dust. As a result, there is a risk of the pesticide not reaching the target pests, which defeats the purpose of the application and can lead to ineffective pest control.

In contrast, factors like measurement difficulties or effectiveness indoors versus outdoors play a secondary role compared to the significant concern of drift. While it is essential to apply pesticides accurately, dust formulations' unique properties pose a challenge in outdoor environments, where their effectiveness might be compromised due to environmental influences.