All About Adjuvants: Understanding the different types of adjuvants and how to use them will help you make the most of your pesticide applications

摘要

What can you do if the environmental conditions are not ideal for maximum pesticide effectiveness and safety? Another substance may be needed to achieve the desired management of the pest. Substances that enhance a pesticide's performance and safety are known as adjuvants. The term adjuvant is used to describe many different substances that are either added to the product by the manufacturer or are mixed with the pesticide at the time of application. Adjuvants include anti-foaming agents, buffering agents, compatibility agents, drift-control agents, and the largest group of additives — surfactants. As a professional using EPA-registered products, you are required to follow all label directions, and that includes using only substances specifically designed for use with pesticides. So avoid the dish-washing soap, no matter how tempting it may be to use as a substitute.