Much of the success or failure of an insecticide/miticide application depends on the kind of equipment used.
Hose-end sprayers are small sprayers that are screwed onto the end of an ordinary garden hose. The spray container varies in size from a half pint to one quart and will deliver from 1 to 15 gallons of spray when the contents are emptied. Insecticide is added to the sprayer on the basis of so many tablespoonfuls per gallon of spray delivered. The sprayers are put in operation by turning on the water and placing a thumb or other device over a small hole in the top of the lid. The insecticide is drawn from the container and mixed with the hose water as the water flows out the nozzle. One of the major disadvantages of this type sprayer is that wettable powder often plugs the nozzles. A big advantage is the constant pressure; you need no pumping to maintain pressure to deliver the spray.
Compressed air sprayers include metal or plastic tanks that vary in size from 1 to 3 gallons. Air is pumped inside the sprayer with a plunger on the tank. The spray is delivered through an attached hose with a hand shut-off valve and a nozzle tip. Disadvantages of this type sprayer are that it must be pumped frequently to maintain pressure, the tank must be transported, the nozzle tips are of the low-volume type, a relatively long time is required to empty the tank, and tanks rust unless they are made of stainless steel or plastic. In spite of these disadvantages, compressed air sprayers are useful for many smaller pest control jobs in and around the landscape.
Knapsack sprayers are compressed air sprayers which vary in size from 3 to 5 gallons and are strapped onto one's back. A handle pump is attached and is pumped continuously at a slow pace. The pumping builds up a pressure in the tank and allows the spray to be delivered through a hose and nozzle tip at an even, steady rate. It, too, is equipped with a hand shut-off valve. This type of sprayer is suited for spraying fairly large areas. Disadvantages are that the sprayers are expensive; loaded with water, they're quite heavy; and they must be pumpedup to maintain pressure. However, a stainless steel knapsack sprayer should last many years and handle any spray job in the garden and around the landscape, except large tree spraying.
Wheelbarrow sprayers are manually or motor operated hydraulic sprayers mounted on a frame with 1 or 2 wheels. They generally have a capacity of 12 or more gallons. The motorless type sprayer usually requires one person to operate the pump and another to direct the spray stream. Wheelbarrow sprayers are more expensive but are suited for bigger jobs.
The equipment mentioned so far is used primarily for small jobs and would not be practical for large tree spraying. The following equipment is for large tree spraying.
Mist blowers deliver concentrated insecticide to trees by means of a high volume, high velocity air stream. The insecticide is diluted primarily in air rather than in water. Spraying with a mist blower requires an experienced operator. Plant injury or poor distribution of the spray on the tree may result from an improperly operated machine.
Hydraulic sprayers are satisfactory for tree and shrub spraying and have been in use for a long time. Hydraulic machines deliver high gallonage, high pressure sprays. The spray is delivered through a specialized spray gun attached to a pressure hose. This is one of the most common type of sprayer used in controlling pests of shade trees.
Before buying a piece of spray equipment, keep in mind the size of the job to be done, kind of performance desired, kinds and amounts of insecticides to be used, amount of water needed per spraying, the size of the plants to be treated, and amount of money to be spent. If you explain these facts to a spray equipment dealer, they will be able to recommend the correct piece of equipment for the job. Remember that a piece of equipment is no better than what it costs or the person who uses it, and all equipment must be serviced and cleaned frequently.
Accessory Equipment -- Measuring equipment is necessary to measure accurately the required amounts of insecticides, thus ensuring better pest control results and less plant injury. This equipment includes a 1-quart measuring cup and a set of measuring spoons. They should be kept separate from those used in the home or work place and should be marked in some way to indicate they are for pesticide measurements only.
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