What technique would help minimize off-target drift?

Utilizing the largest droplets practical for pesticide application is an effective technique to minimize off-target drift. Larger droplets are less susceptible to wind movement and environmental conditions that can cause them to drift away from the intended target. When pesticides are applied in finer droplets, they can easily be carried by even light winds or can evaporate, leading to potential drift onto non-target areas such as neighboring fields, homes, or water sources. By opting for larger droplets, the application maintains sufficient coverage while significantly reducing the chances of drift, thereby enhancing both efficacy and environmental safety.

In contrast, applying pesticides on windy days increases the likelihood of drift due to the disturbed air movement. Increasing the application speed can also lead to smaller droplet sizes, again raising the risk of drift. Spraying at lower heights above the target could help in some scenarios, but if the droplet size is inadequate, it can still lead to significant drift. Thus, using larger droplets is the most reliable method to reduce off-target pesticide drift effectively.