Chapter 4 Pesticide Formulations Flashcards
What’s a pesticide formulation
Combination of active and inert ingredients that forms an end use pesticide product
Why are pesticides formulated for end use
Active ingredients in “pure” form are not suitable for application adding inert ingredients helped make the product safer, easier to handle and apply and/or more effective
Active Ingredients
Chemical or chemicals responsible for pesticidal activity
Inert Ingredients
Inactive materials in a formulation without pesticidal activity
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
WP = Wettable Powder
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
D = Dust
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
C = Concentrate
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
B = Bait
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
A = Aerosol
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
DF = Dry Flowable
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
E/EC = Emulsifiable Concentrate
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
F = Flowable
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
G = Granules
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
GL = Gel
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
L = Liquid
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
LC = Liquid Concentrate
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
LV = Liquid Volatile
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
P and PS = Pellets
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
S = Solution
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
SP = Soluble Powder
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
W = Wettable Powder
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
WDG = Wettable Dispersible Granules
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulations
WS = Water Soluble
Name 1 of the 20 common types of formulation
UVL = Ultra Low Volume
Factors to consider when choosing formulations for a specific site or situation
Base your decision on:
- legal labeled used
- signal word
- applicator safety
- environment safety
- pest biology
- site characteristics
- target (surface to be treated)
- appropriate and available application equipment
Ask yourself these questions:
- is the intended use listed on the product label
- do I have the necessary equipment
- is the formulation likely to damage the surface
- can the formulation be applied appropriately under the conditions in the application area
Properties of common formulations
Emulsifiable Concentrates (E or EC)
Usually contains an oil soluble liquid active ingredient
One or more petroleum based solvents and a mixing agent
Properties of common formulations
Solutions (S)
Contains the active ingredient, solvent (carrier or diluent) and one or more other ingredients
Properties of common formulations
Ultra Low Volume
Almost 100% active ingredient
Properties of common formulations
Invert Emulsion
Contain a water soluble pesticide dispersed in an oil carrier
Properties of common formulations
Flowables (F)
Like an emulsifiable concentrates
Properties of common formulations
Aerosols (A)
Contain one or more active ingredients or a solvent
Properties of common formulations
Dust (D)
One or more active ingredients plus a very fine, dry inert carrier made from talc, chalk, nut hulls or volcanic ash
Properties of common formulations
Granules (G)
One or more active ingredients plus a very fine dry inert carrier made from talc, chalk, clay, nut hulls or volcanic ash
- granular particles are larger and heavier than dust
Properties of common formulations
Pellets (P or PS)
One or more active ingredients plus a very fine dry inert carrier made from talc, chalk, clay, nut hulls or volcanic ash
- same weight and shape
Properties of common formulations
Wettable Powders (WP or W)
Include wetting and/or dispersing agents
- dry finely ground solid materials
Liquid Formulations
Advantages of Emulsifiable Concentrates (E or EC)
- relatively easy to handle transport and store
- easy to poor and measure
- little agitation required; will not settle out or separate when equipment is running
- not abrasive; does not cause excessive equipment wear
- will not usually plug screens or nozzles
- leave little visible residue on treated surfaces
Liquid formulation
Disadvantages of Emulsifiable Concentrates (E or EC)
- high concentration of active ingredient make it easy to over or under dose through mixing or calibration errors
- may damage treated plants or surfaces
- easily absorbed through skin of humans or animals
- many have strong odor
- splashes and spills relatively difficult to clean up and/or decontaminate
- solvents may cause equipment “wear and tear”
- flammable; should be used and stored away from heat or open flame
- may be corrosive
Liquid formulations
Advantages of Solutions (S)
- convenient; neither measuring nor mixing is required
- some are packaged and sold in or with an application device. If this is the case no loading is required
- less personal exposure risk due to reduced toxicity and handling
Liquid formulations
Disadvantages of Solutions (S)
- limited availability
- high cost per unit of active ingredient
Liquid Formulation
Advantages of Concentrate Solution (C,LS or WSC/WSL)
- relatively easy to handle, transport and store; easy to pour and measure
- no agitation necessary
- not abrasive; do not cause excessive equipment wear
- do not plug screens or nozzles
- do not usually leave visible residues on treated surface ‘]
Liquid Formulation
Disadvantages of Concentrate Solutions (C,LS, or WSC/WSL)
- limited availability especially water based solutions
- spills and splashes may be difficult to clean up and/or decontaminate
- some are easily absorbed through skin of humans and animals
Liquid Formulations
Advantages of Baits (B)
- liquid and baits are very useful in controlling sugar feed ants
- ants that will feed on liquid baits carry this material to the colony
-liquid rodent baits will often control rodents in areas where food is abundant but water is scarce
Liquid Formulations
Disadvantages of Baits (B)
- not all ants, cockroaches and rodents will feed on liquid baits
- you must refill or replace liquid baits
Liquid Formulations
Advantages of Ultra Low Volume (ULV)
- relatively easy to handle, transport and store
- little or no agitation required
- not abrasive on equipment
- Do not plug screens or nozzles
- leave little visible residues on treated surfaces
Liquid Formulations
Disadvantages of Ultra Low Volume (ULV)
- high drift hazard due to small droplet size
- specialized equipment required
- easily absorbed through skin of humans or animals; high dermal and inhalation exposure risk
- may cause rubber or plastic hoses, gaskets and pump parts and other surface to deteriorate
- calibration and application must be performed with special care because ULV products are applied in concentration form
Liquid Formulations
Advantages of Invert Emulsions
- low drift
- increased rate of penetration and/or absorption
- Increased rainfastness and reduced runoff
Liquid Formulations
Disadvantages of Invert Emulsions
- difficult to treat the underside of foliage or other targets because droplets are large and heavy
- limited availability
Liquid Formulation
Advantages of Flowables (F or AF)
- easy to handle and apply; low exposure risk
- generally not phytotoxic
- seldom clog nozzles
- splashes are less likely than with other liquid formulations
Liquid Formulations
Disadvantages of Flowables (F or AF)
- may settle; need shaking before measuring and mixing
- difficult to remove all of the product from the container. Containers may be difficult to rinse
- require moderate agitation
- may be abrasive; contribute to “wear and tear” of spray equipment
- spills may be harder to clean up
- may leave a visible residue on treated surface
Liquid Formulations
Advantages of Ready to Use Aerosols (A)
- easy to use; convenient
- portable
- easily stored
- convenient way to buy and apply a small amount of pesticide
- retain potency for some time
Liquid Formulations
Disadvantages of Ready to Use Aerosols (A)
- practical for only a few limited or specialized uses
- risk of inhalation exposure
- hazardous if punctured, overheated or used near an open flame
- may be difficult to direct material released to a single target site or pest
Liquid Formulations
Advantages of Formulations for Smoke or Fog Generations
- easy way to fill an entire space with pesticide
Liquid Formulations
Disadvantages of Formulations for Smoke or Fog Generations
- highly specialized use sites and equipment
- difficult to confine to target site or pest
- spills and splashes may be difficult to clean up and/or decontaminate
- may require respiratory protection to prevent inhalation exposure
Dry or Solid Formulations
Advantages of Dust (D)
- usually ready to used; no mixing
- a good alternative where moisture from a spray might cause damage
- applied with simple application equipment
- effective in hard to reach indoor areas
Dry or Solid Formulations
Disadvantages of Dust (D)
- easily drift off target during application
- residues do not adhere to treated surfaces, including foliage as well as liquid do; may easily wash off or blow away
- may irritate eyes, nose, throat and skin; pose a relatively high inhalation exposure risk to handlers
- dampness may cause product to clump and equipment to clog; difficult to apply in damp or humid environments
- some kinds of application equipment and devices are hard to calibrate
- difficult to get an even distribution of particles
Dry or Solid Formulations
Advantages of Granules (G) and Pellets (P or PS)
-ready to use; no mixing
- drift hazard is low and particles settle quickly
- low applicator hazard; no spray; little dust
- weight carries the formulation through foliage to soil or water target
- applied with simple application equipment such as seeders or fertilizer spreader
- may break down more slowly then WPs or ECs because of a slow release coating
Dry or Solid Formulations
Disadvantages of Granules (G) and Pellets (P or PS)
- application equipment needs frequent calibration
- application equipment is not as convenient to calibrate as spray equipment. Released particles are measured by weight instead of volume
- uniform application may be difficult with some devices (e.g. rotary spreaders)
- may need to be incorporated into soil or planting medium
- granules do not stick to foliage or other uneven surfaces
- may need moisture to release the active ingredient; may not be effective in drought conditions
- may be hazardous to non target species, especially waterfowl and other birds
- bulky; low percentage of active ingredient per unit volume
Dry or Solid Formulations
Disadvantages of Wettable Powders (WP or W)
- not easy to measure, must be weighted
- not easy to mix
- inhalation hazard to applicator while measuring and mixing the concentrated powder
- suspended particles required good and constant agitation in spray tank and quickly settle out if agitation ceases
- abrasive to pumps and nozzles; cause equipment to wear
- difficult to mix in very hard or very alkaline water
- if not mixed properly may clog nozzles and screens
- residues may be visible on treated surfaces
Dry or Solid Formulation
Advantages of Wettable Powders (WP or W)
- easy to store, transport and handle
- less likely than ECs and other petroleum based formulations to harm treated plants, animals and surfaces
- as a rule not pytotoxic
- less risk of skin and eye absorption than ECs and other liquid formulations
Dry or Solid Formulations
Advantages of Water Dispersible Granules (WDG) or Dry Flowables (DF)
- easy to store, transport and handle
- less likely than ECs and other petroleum based formulations to harm treated plants, animals and surfaces
- as a rule not phytotoxic
- less risk of skin and eye absorption than ECs and other liquid formulations
- reduced handler exposure risk
Dry or Solid Formulation
Disadvantages of Water Dispersible Granules (WDG) or Dry Flowables (DF)
- not easy to measure; must be weighted
- not easy to mix
- Inhalation hazard to applicator while measuring and mixing the concentrated powder
- suspended particles required good and constant agitation in spray tank and quickly settle out if agitation ceases
- abrasive to pumps and nozzles; cause equipment wear
- difficult to mix in very hard or very alkaline water
- if not mixed property may clog nozzles and screens
- residues may be visible on treated surfaces
Dry or Solid Formulation
Advantages of Soluble Powders (SP or WSP)
- easy to store, transport and handle
- less likely than ECs and other petroleum based formulations to harm treated plants, animals and surfaces
- as a rule not phytotoxic
- less risk of skin and eye absorption than ECs and other liquid formulations
Dry or Solid Formulations
Disadvantages of Soluble Powders (SP or WSP)
- inhalation hazard to applicator while measuring and mixing the concentrated powder
Dry or Solid Formulation
Advantages of Baits (B)
- ready to use
- entire area need not be covered because pest goes to bait
- control pests that move in and out of an area
Dry or Solid Formulation
Disadvantages of Baits (B)
- may be attractive to kids and pest
- may kill domestic animals and non target wildlife
- require careful placement and inspection
- pest may prefer the crop or other food to the bait
- dead vertebrates pests may cause odor problems
Dry or Solid Formulations
Advantages of Fumigants
- toxic to a wide range of pests
- can penetrate cracks, crevices, wood and tightly packed areas (soils or grains)
- a single treatment will usually kill most pests in the treated space
Dry or Solid Formulations
Disadvantages of Fumigant
- target site must be enclosed or covered to prevent gas from escaping
- nonspecific and highly toxic to humans and all other organisms
- high inhalation exposure risk
- most require the use of specialized personal protective equipment
- may require the use of specialized application equipment
- some have specific temperature requirements
Dry or Solid Formulation
Advantages of Microencapsulated Pesticides (M)
- Coatings help protect the applicator
- Easy to mix, handle and apply
- Timed release of active ingredient prolongs effectiveness
- Reduced volatility
- Reduced odor
- Less likely to stain or otherwise damage treated surfaces
- Reduced phytotoxicity
Dry or Solid Formulation
Disadvantages of Microencapsulated Pesticides (M)
- Constant agitation may be necessary in spray tank (depending on properties of the coating)
- Risk of injury or killing bees
- Long restricted entry or preharvest intervals for highly toxic products
Dry or Solid Formulations
Advantages of Water Soluble Packaging (WSB or WSP)
- Accurate premeasured unit doses
- Increased handler safety; greatly reduced exposure risk
- Lower risk of spills
Dry or Solid Formulations
Disadvantages of Water Soluble Packaging (WSB or WSP)
- Package size may not match volume of prepared solution needed and/or spray tank volume
- May not be suitable for products applied in pounds or gallons of active ingredients per acre due to the size or number of packets required
- Must be kept dry away from water or high humidity until ready to use
Explain the roles of adjuvants
- improve the action of a pesticide
- Change the characteristics of a pesticide formulation or a spray mixture
