2/13/2018

1

Pesticide FormulationsDr. Mickey Taylor, UGA PSEP Associate Coordinator

(706) 540-4108 mickeyt@uga.edu

UGA Pest Management Handbook http://www.ent.uga.edu/pest-management/

UGA Pesticide Safety Education www.tinyurl.com/UGAPSEP

Liquid Bait FlowablePowder

Applying Pesticides CorrectlyFor Certified Applicators

UGA Pesticide Safety Education Program

Acknowledgements

• Washington State University Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education Program authored this presentation

• Illustrations were provided by Nevada Dept. of Agriculture, University of Missouri-Lincoln, Virginia Tech., Washington Dept. of Agriculture, Washington State University

• Presentation was reviewed by Ed Crow, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture; Jeanne Kasai, US EPA; Beth Long, University of Tennessee; Susan Whitney King, University of Delaware and Jeanne Kasai, U.S. EPA

Support for this project was made possible through EPA Office of Pesticide Program cooperative agreements with the Council for Agricultural, Science and Technology, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the EPA.

2/13/2018

2

Pesticide Formulationsactive ingredient (Ai)

(must be listed!)

+

Not listed!Adjuvants - Emulsifiers,

solvents, carriers, stabilizers, surfactants: spreaders, stickers, wetting agents

Why formulations?

inert ingredients

Easier & safer to mix/apply, improves activity

Image - pbigordon.com

Brand Name Abbreviations

D – dustG – granularSP – soluble powderS – solution WP – wettable powderEC – emulsifiable concentrateDF – dry flowableWDG – water dispersible granuleWSP – water soluble packetULV – ultra low volumeRTU – ready to useGL – gelLO – low odor Image - OHP.com

Ai Code in Trade Names

80SP80% active ingredient by weight

Soluble Powder

1EC1 lb Ai/gallonemulsifiableconcentrate

Image - pbigordon.com

Lexone 2E• Active Ingredient

• Metribuzin* 25%

• Inert Ingredients 75%

• TOTAL 100%

• * contains 2 lb metribuzin per gallon

• Active Ingredient

• Metribuzin 25%

• Inert Ingredients 75%

• TOTAL 100%

Lexone 25DF

2/13/2018

3

Selecting a Formulation

• Advantages and disadvantages

• Correct application equipment?

• Will the formulation reach the target pest?

Except in cases of pesticide resistance or sites where a particular product is prohibited, the choice of formulation is often more important than the choice of active ingredient. Keith Story, Industry Consultant

Spray Mix Terminology

• solution

• suspension

• emulsion

How does it really mix in the spray

tank?

SolutionActive Ingredient

Either liquid or dry substance TRULY dissolves in water

just like sugar in water*usually transparent*

Suspension

Active Ingredient (high %)impregnated onto Dry Carrier and mixed with anEmulsifier (slick, soapy)

Solid particles suspended in a liquidlike hot chocolate

2/13/2018

4

Emulsion

AiOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

AIOil

Ai is dissolved in oil (oil/aidroplet) and mixed with an emulsifierAi/Oil mixture is suspended in water forming a white emulsion

One liquid dispersed within another liquidlike fat in milk

Liquid FormulationsEmulsifiable Concentrate (E or EC)

dilutedproduct

Turns white when mixed

Smells of

solvents

• Easy to handle

• Little agitation

• Relatively easy on equipment

• Little residue

• Plant injury

• Easily absorbed by the skin

• Flammable

• Deterioration of rubber and plastic hoses

Liquid FormulationsEmulsifiable Concentrate (E or EC) High Ai%

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Ai dissolves in liquid carrier; once mixed with water, solutions do not settle out

dilutedproduct

Liquid FormulationsSolutions (S)

2/13/2018

5

• Special-purpose formulation

• Almost 100% active ingredient

• Agriculture, forestry, mosquito control

Liquid FormulationsUltra-Low Volume (ULV)

• Easy to handle

• Little or no agitation

• Easy on equipment

• No residue

• Indoors/outdoors

• Drift & inhalation hazard

• Special equipment

• Solvent wear on rubber and plastic

• Calibration of ULV

Liquid FormulationsUltra-Low Volume (ULV) & aerosol (A)

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Some are ready-to-use

• Little active ingredient

• High drift potential

Liquid FormulationsAerosols (A)

Some require highly specialized equipment

Difficult to confine

Respiratory protection needed

Dry FormulationsBaits (B)

A bait is an Ai mixed with food – can be dry or liquid that is applied without mixing

2/13/2018

6

• Ready to use

• Coverage not critical

• Pest consumes the pesticideofarea

• Attractive to children

• May kill domestic animals and wildlife

• Dead pest odors

• Old inactive bait may serve as food source

Dry or Solid FormulationsBaits (B)

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Dry FormulationsPastes (P), Gels (GL)

A bait formulated as a paste or gel that is applied with a syringe or bait gun

Odorless Minimal exposure Easy to place Melt at high temperatures May stain porous surfaces Repeat application can

create unsightly buildup

• Reach hard to get places

• Very little active ingredient

• Very fine, dry inert carrier

• High drift potential (dusts)

• Distribution and calibration a problem

• Dusts: Irritating to eyes, nose, throat, skin

Dry or Solid FormulationsDusts (D) and Granules (G)

granule

AI

dust

AI

Dry FormulationsGranules (G) and Pellets (P or PS)

Granules Beads Pellets

Granules: can be mistaken for food/feed

2/13/2018

7

Settle out quickly, require constant agitation

Dry Formulations Added to WaterWettable Powders (WP or W)

Also WaterDispersible Granules (WDG) or Dry Flowables (DF)

dilutedproduct• Easy to store,

measure/mix

• Less harmful to plants, animals and surfaces than ECs

• Less absorption by human skin and eyes

• Inhalation hazard

• Constant agitation

• Difficult to mix in hard water

• Abrasive to pumps and nozzles

• Visible residues

Dry FormulationsWettable Powders – high Ai %

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Forms true solution, like sugar – no agitation needed

• Few pesticides are soluble powders

Dry Formulations

Soluble Powders (SP or WSP)

• Easy to measure/mix

• Form true solution

• Little phytotoxicityconcern

• Less absorption by human skin and eyes

• Inhalation hazard

Dry FormulationsSoluble Powders – high Ai %

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

2/13/2018

8

Flowables are basically a wettable powder pre-mixed with a liquid carrier

Liquid FormulationsFlowables (F) or Liquids (L)

dilutedproduct

Other Formulations

• Microencapsulated

–High toxicity Ai in encased formulation

• Water-soluble packets

–No human exposure when mixing

• Poisonous gas, penetrates cracks, crevices, and stored commodities

• Highly toxic!

• Specialized protection equipment; enclosed space

• Need special licensing & training! Cat 38 (Ag Fumigation) or FUM

Other FormulationsFumigants

Pesticide Mixtures• Tank mixing multiple products is legal unless

prohibited by the label

• Manufacturer only warranties their product alone or product mixtures listed on the label

• Label notes known incompatibilities

• Incompatibility

– Heat, clumping, precipitate

– Inactivity of active ingredients

– Increased phytotoxicity

– Use Jar-Test to test for incompatibility

– Field incompatibility can still occur

2/13/2018

9

Jar Test for Compatibility

Mix proportionate amounts of all products

1. Fill jar ½ full with water or carrier

2. Add products one at a time in proper order

3. Shake jar and see what happens

4. Allow jar to stand for 10-15 minutes.

5. Products are not compatible if have a precipitate, heat is given off, or products separate into layers

Mixing Order for Tank Mix

1. ½ water or carrier (fertilizer)

2. Compatibility agent (if needed)

3. Suspension products • Dry – WP, DF, WDG

• Liquid – F, L

4. Solution products (S, SP)

5. Adjuvants (if needed)

6. Emulsion products (EC)

Matching ActivityCredit: Erin Harlow, UF/IFAS, Duval County

• There are 16 household products

• Each product is similar to a pesticide formulation

• Match the products with the formulations

• Think about how the product is made or used.

• Example – Flour

• Formulation most similar

– Wettable Powder (WP)

Q1. Which of the following formulations typically has the lowest rate of active ingredient?

A. Dusts (D)B. Wettable Powders (WP)C. Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)D. Soluble Powder (SP)

2/13/2018

10

Q2. Which type of nozzle would pose a concern when using soluble powder formulations?

1. no nozzle type poses a concern2. brass nozzles3. aluminum nozzles4. nylon nozzles

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 2 and 4 only

D. 3 and 4 only

Q3. Which of the following are considered surfactant-type adjuvants?

1. spreaders2. buffers3. wetting agents4. colorant dyes

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 3 and 4 only