Standards for safe spraying

When applying pesticides and herbicides, it is essential to always read the instructions on the label before use.

Specific recommendations are given on the label. Uses in excess of the maximum recommendation will give poor fruiting results and may lead to phytotoxicity or a decrease in microbiological populations.

Do not be lulled into believing that "just apply a little more" for optimal effects.

Both weedsas pests are most effectively treated at the youngest stages of their development, so effective model-based preventive treatments are an excellent tool.

For weeds, times of vegetative growth are the best times for treatments, as translocatable herbicides will take effect quickly.

Care must be taken to the time of implementation to prevent drift and water loss in the mixture.

If it is a contact product, the active ingredient must remain on the element to be treated for several hours to take effect. Rain or watering should be avoided. In addition, the temperature should not be higher than 18ºC.

Allow areas of weeds to grow before application for optimum impact.

If granular materials are used for broadleaf weed control, it is recommended that the leaf is wet, either on the basis of irrigation or by morning dew.

Be patient with the results, they may be delayed depending on the species, the phenological stage or the active material used.

Newly sown turf is sensitive to chemistry and should not be applied against weeds unless it has been mowed 3 times beforehand. This especially affects the pre-emergence herbicides. After removal of broadleaved plants in an area, wait 4 to 6 weeks before reseeding to ensure seed viability.

Post-emergence herbicides at the end of winter dormancy in warm-season grasses may cause foliar injury during this period.

As a final note, freshly treated mowing clippings should not be used as mulching material in landscaped areas. Wait three or four mowings before using them.