Pesticide Formulations

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Pesticide Formulations

• From foukeffa.org
• Written by Mr. Fellenbaum

GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office To accompany the
Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Lesson
02441-13.3 July 2002
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Objectives

• Define pesticide formulation
• Define the different pesticide formulations
• Discuss the pros and cons of each formulation

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What is a Pesticide Formulation?

• The composition of the pesticide
• Made up of two things
• a. Active ingredients- what controls
  the pest
• b. Inert ingredients- filler material to
  spread out the active ingredient

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Emulsifiable Concentrates

• Known as EC
• Liquid formulation
• Active ingredient dissolved in petroleum based
  solvent
• Emulsifier added so that oil can disperse in
  water
• White when added to H20
• 2-8 lbs. active ingredient/g

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Pros

• Easy to handle, transport, and store
• Little agitation
• Can use with a wide range of applicators
• Nonabrasive to equipment
• Does not plug

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Cons

• Rapidly absorbed through skin
• Risk of phytotoxicity when temperatures are high
• Can pit or discolor treated surface
• May deteriorate rubber or plastic
• Fire hazard (petroleum)

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Solutions

• Active ingredient dissolved in liquid solvent
• May need diluted
• Same pros and cons as ECs
• ULV-Ultra Low Volume
• -80-100 Active Ingredient
• -Less frequent refills

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Soluble Powders

• Dissolves in water to form true solution
• No extra mixing required
• Similar Pros and Cons to WPs, except they are
  not abrasive

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Wettable Powders (WP)

• Finely ground, dry formulation
• 25-80 active ingredient
• Forms a suspension when mixed with water
• -Suspensiondoes not dissolve, requires
  constant agitation

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Pros

• Easy to store, transport, and handle
• Slow skin absorption
• Low risk of phytotoxicity
• Low cost

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Cons

• Constant agitation
• Inhalation of dust
• Abrasive
• Clogs screens and nozzles
• Difficult to mix in hard or alkaline water
• Leaves residue

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Flowables (F)

• Powder in suspension of a liquid carrier
• 4 lbs/gallon of active ingredient
• Same cons as WPs (except dust)
• Must shake containers
• Easy to handle

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Dry Flowables (DF) Water Dispersable Granules
(WDG)

• Like WPs, except in granular form
• Granules break apart when they hit H20
• Less dust than WPs
• More easily measured and mixed than WPs

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Microencapsulated

• Active ingredient encased in a capsule
• Mixed in suspension
• Slow release of active ingredient once applied

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Pros

• Safe and easy to handle
• Capsule prevents dermal absorption by the
  applicator

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Cons

• Bees may carry capsules back to hive in pollen
  basket which can destroy the hive
• May clog nozzle screens
• Agitation required to keep suspended

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Dusts (D)

• 1-10 active ingredient
• Mixed with finely ground substance
• No mixing easy application
• Drift is a problem
• Wind and rain remove quickly
• Irritating to user
• Expensive for amount of AI

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Baits (B)

• AI mixed with edible substance
• No special application equipment
• May be attractive to non-target pests
• Dead pests may stink
• Cost high if repeated baiting needed

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Granules (G) Pellets (P)

• 5-20 AI, applied to porous, solid material
• Used to control pests in soil
• AI absorbed by plant roots
• Little dust or drift hazard
• Need incorporation
• May be eaten by non target animals
• May get trapped in some plants

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Aerosols

• AI in solution in a pressurized container
• Easy to use and store
• High cost
• Inhalation injury possible
• Drift a problem
• Flammable!

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Fumigants

• Chemicals active as gases
• Used in soil and closed structures
• Kills anything
• Penetrates cracks
• One treatment
• Most hazardous
• Must enclose area