Insect Note #16 (Revised)
Prepared by:
Kenneth A. Sorensen, Extension Entomologist
Dated 2/94
Placed on the Web 4/95 by the Department of Entomology, NCSU
Revised: 03/05
Application Equipment for the Home Gardener
Much of the success or failure in controlling insects can be traced
to the kind of equipment used to apply insecticides. Most
homeowners have only a small garden area and cannot justify buying
expensive power machines.
Before buying a sprayer or duster consider the following:
- Amount of spraying or dusting to be done.
- Degree of control or kind of performance desired from the
equipment.
- Types of insecticide to be used.
- Distance from pesticide storage to the spray site and the
availability of water.
- Size and type of plants to be treated.
- Amount of money to be spent.
With the above information in mind, you and your equipment dealer
can decide intelligently the best sprayer or duster for you.
Remember to keep the equipment in excellent working condition. It
should be cleaned frequently, serviced properly and stored indoors
in a dry place.
The following notes give information about various types of
equipment suitable for use by homeowners.
Compressed air sprayers are metal or polyethylene tanks
which vary from 1 to 3 gallons. Air is pumped into them with the
aid of a plunger-type apparatus or pump. The spray is delivered
through an attached hose with a hand shut-off valve and an
adjustable or changeable nozzle tip.
- Advantages of this type of sprayer are:
- Relatively low initial cost.
- Ease of transporting to any location.
- A wide variety of nozzles to choose from.
- The ability to thoroughly and efficiently apply pesticides
when properly used.
- Either wettable powders or emulsifiable concentrate may be
used.
- Disadvantages of this type of sprayer are:
- Must be pumped frequently to maintain pressure.
- Have to carry the tank plus water.
- Nozzle tips are of the low volume type and a relatively
long time is required to empty the tank.
- Tanks may rust out in a few seasons.
- Constant shaking or agitating is necessary.
Hose-end sprayers are small sprayers that attach to the end
of an ordinary garden hose. The spray container varies in size
from 1/2 pint to 1 quart and will have delivered from 1 to 10
gallons of dilute spray when the contents of the container is
emptied. The insecticide is added on the basis of recommended
amounts per gallon of spray. The sprayers are put in operation by
turning on the water and placing the thumb over a small hole in the
top of the lid or manipulating some device. The insecticide is
drawn or siphoned from the container and mixed with the hose water
as it is propelled toward the nozzle.
- Advantages of this type are:
- Relatively constant pressure.
- No pumping to maintain pressure.
- No excess water to carry.
- Relatively low initial cost.
- Disadvantages of this type are:
- Wettable powders may plug the nozzle.
- You can go only as far as the water hose allows.
- Water pressure must be at least 20 pounds per square
inch.
- Pesticides could be siphoned into water supply if an anti-siphon device is not present.
Knapsack Sprayers are compressed air sprayers which vary in
size from 3 to 5 gallons and are strapped onto the back. A handle
is attached and this is pumped continuously as the applicator walks
at a slow pace. The pumping builds up pressure in the tank and
allows the spray to be delivered through a hose and nozzle tip at
an even, steady rate. It is equipped with a hand shut-off valve.
This type of sprayer is designed for use in gardens up to one acre
or more in size.
- Advantages of this type are:
- Sturdy and should last for years.
- Will handle any spray job around the home.
- Disadvantages of this type are:
- Initial cost relatively high.
- Heavy to carry when filled with spray solution.
- Must be pumped continuously.
There are other types of sprayers such as bucket pumps, trombone
and wheelbarrow sprayers, etc. but those above are more adaptable
to use in the yard and garden.
Hand atomizers or sprayers - these are commonly used inside
homes to control flies. They are sometimes referred to as "flit
guns". They may be used to treat house plants, plant beds, and a
few large plants. They hold from a cupful to 2 quarts of spray
material. These sprayers may be tiresome to use if a large area is
to be sprayed.
- Plunger-type - This is a manually operated
inexpensive piece of equipment for the application of pesticidal
dusts. It has a storage area of 1 to 3 pounds for the dust and a
plunger-type which develops air currents in such a manner as to
discharge the dust. This type of duster is satisfactory for small
gardens. DO NOT overfill as it will cause very uneven
application.
- Fan-type or Crank Duster - These area also referred
to as rotary dusters. They are manually operated and vary in size
from those that hold about a pound of insecticide to those that
hold 10 pounds. The duster is made up of a dust compartment or
hopper, an agitating mechanism and a high velocity gear driven fan.
These dusters give a constant flow of dust through the discharge
tube if the operator continuously cranks. Crank dusters are heavy
when loaded but may be used to treat a large garden. The initial
cost of a large manual duster is rather high but the small ones are
relatively inexpensive.
- Large Dusters - For gardeners with an acre or more
in crop, a power duster should be considered.
Aerosols
Aerosol or pressurized cans may be satisfactory for use in the
home, on patios or for mini-gardens.
Accessory Equipment
Every home gardener should have the following set aside for
pesticide use only: (1) a set of measuring spoons and (2) a
measuring cup. Keep this equipment marked so it will not be
confused with that in the kitchen. Always keep these with the
locked up pesticides. Remember to measure accurately for more
economical use of pesticides and less chance of plant damage.
Amount of Spray or Dust to Apply
The amount to use will vary with the size and number of plants in
the row but a general rule of thumb is as follows: 1 gallon of
finished spray or 4 ounces of dust per 150 feet of row.