See the ways that herbicide contamination can occur from improperly cleaned sprayers, according to UF/IFAS.
“Even a small amount of leftover herbicide in the spray tank can harm citrus trees,” shared a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article. There are many different ways that herbicide contamination can occur due to improperly cleaned sprayers, according to the article. See how contamination of herbicides happens and the dangers of that contamination from the article below.
The Dangers of Herbicide Contamination
The article advised that “Herbicide residues from certain herbicide products — such as oil-based formulations, dry flowables, systemic herbicides and auxin types — can easily stick to the inside surfaces of tanks, hoses, pumps, filters and nozzles. Examples include products that contain diuron, pendimethalin, glyphosate and 2,4-D.”
Ways that herbicide contamination occurs include:
- “When the same sprayer is used on trees of different ages without being cleaned properly between applications.”
- “When the sprayer is used for other pesticide products without a thorough rinse.”
The article shared that “Spraying until the herbicide tank is empty does not mean the sprayer is clean. Taking a few extra minutes to rinse and clean every part of the sprayer can help prevent damage to citrus trees. Always check the herbicide label for specific cleaning directions, as some products may need stronger solutions or extra rinse time to remove residues completely.”
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