GENERAL GUIDE TO ULV SPRAYS

I. Application equipment and greenhouse configuration.Some ULV sprayers (e.g. thermal foggers, large "cold" foggers) are designed to cover large areas, whereas others (e.g. rotary atomizers, smaller hand-held coldfoggers, electrostatic sprayers) can be used in both large and small areas. The greenhouse configuration will help determine the best choice of low-volume spray equipment.

II. Match the pesticide to the equipment and pest. Some pesticides are vapor active. Some are systemic. Control should be obtained with all ULV sprayers using these kinds of pesticides - assuming the pesticide is effective in controlling the pest! For contact pesticides, where the pests reside on the plants will be a factor in control with some ULV sprayers. For example, the ESS (electrostatic) sprayer has been demonstrated to provide good to excellent coverage on leaf undersides as well as upper surfaces. Some of the other sprayers seem to deposit most of the pesticide on upper surfaces. This can be important in control of pests such as whiteflies and spider mites - less important for aphids, thrips and leaf miners.

III. Calculate the pesticide dosage correctly. ULV sprays are much more concentrated than conventional high volume sprays. The amount of pesticide to use in ULV sprays is based on the total amount used in conventional sprays to cover the same area - not the same spray dilution! Perhaps less pesticide can be used in some ULV sprays, compared with conventional high volume sprays, but there is no guarantee.