What steps may be taken to avoid vapor drift?

• A. Apply during hot weather; Use ester formulations; Do not incorporate into soil.
• B. Avoid applications during hot weather; Use amine formulations, rather than ester; Incorporate the pesticide into the soil as directed.
• C. Ignore the label directions.
• D. Apply at night when cooler.

Answer: (B)

Vapor drift happens when a pesticide becomes a vapor and can move with air currents away from where it’s applied. To cut that risk, focus on factors that drive volatilization: temperature, the formulation’s volatility, and how you apply the product. Avoid applying during hot weather because higher temperatures raise vapor pressure and increase drift potential. Choose formulations that are less volatile—amine formulations tend to drift less than ester formulations, so using an amine form reduces the amount that can vaporize and travel. Incorporating the pesticide into the soil as directed keeps more of the chemical where it’s applied and reduces surface volatilization into the air. Always follow the label directions, since they specify how to apply the product safely and effectively. While applying at night can help when cooler, that option depends on the product label and other factors, so it’s not universally applicable. Overall, avoiding hot weather, using a less volatile formulation, and incorporating into the soil as directed are effective ways to reduce vapor drift.