What does drift refer to in pesticide applications?

• A. The decorative pattern of spray
• B. The waste product of mixing
• C. The color change of spray
• D. The movement of pesticide particles by air from the target area to non-target areas

Answer: (D)

Drift is the movement of pesticide spray particles by air from the area you intend to treat to nearby places you don’t intend to treat. After application, droplets can be carried by wind and air currents and deposit on non-target surfaces such as neighboring crops, water, wildlife, or people. This concept is about airborne movement, not about what the spray looks like, how it’s mixed, or any color change. Understanding drift helps you apply pesticides more safely by choosing proper droplet sizes, nozzle types, and weather/conditions, and by using drift-minimizing practices to keep the product where it’s meant to work.