Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Pesticide Spray Drift

Introduction

Pesticide spray drift is the wind-induced movement of pesticide droplets or particles (also called vapour) outside the intended target area. The potential impact of spray drift includes:

• less product being deposited on the target, resulting in reduced efficacy
• financial loss associated with wasted pesticide and time
• the risk of injury or damage to human health, susceptible plants (e.g. adjacent crops), non-target organisms (e.g. wild and domestic animals, pollinating insects), the environment or property

This website provides links to current information related to pesticide spray drift.

Figure 1. Drift at night under halogen lights.

Spray Drift Awareness Videos

Some level of drift, either during or after an application, will always occur. However, by understanding the factors that impact drift, much can be done to minimize the effects. Towards that end, OMAF and MRA, in cooperation with CropLife Canada, have created two spray drift awareness videos.

"What is Pesticide Drift?" highlights the causes of spray drift and various factors that impact drift. "Equipment and Methods to Reduce Pesticide Drift" focuses on methods that applicators can do to reduce incidents of drift, ranging from awareness of surroundings to mechanical application equipment modifications.

• What is Pesticide Drift?

Transcript | Mobile

• Equipment and Methods to Reduce Pesticide Drift

Transcript | Mobile

Factsheets

• Pesticide Drift from Ground Applications, OMAFRA Order no 11-001
• Orchard Spray Drift Management, Government of B.C.
• Airborne Spray Drift with Venturi Type Nozzles, Government of Alberta
• Reducing Pesticide Drift, Clemson University
• Pesticide Drift, University of Arizona
• Avoiding Pesticide Drift, Montana State University
• Reducing Spray Drift, Ohio State University
• Herbicide Spray Drift, North Dakota State University

National Agencies and Related Information

• Pesticide Spray Drift in Residential Areas, Health Canada
• Pesticide Spray and Dust Drift, Environmental Protection Agency, United States

Buffer Zones

• Buffer Zone Calculator, Health Canada
  

Selected Articles and Books

• Article "Stopping Spray Drift", Top Crop Manager
• Article "Substantial chemical spray drift observed with some twin nozzles", Canada Sprayer Guide
• Book "Spray Drift Management: Principles, Strategies and Supporting Information", Primary Industries Standing Committee, Australia
• Article "Weather for Pesticide Spraying", Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government
• "Herbicide Tolerant Crop Stewardship tutorial on pesticide drift", Pesticide Safety Education Program at the University of Illinois