What is the effect of high humidity on pesticide application?

High humidity has a significant impact on pesticide application by reducing drift. Drift occurs when pesticide droplets are carried away from the target area by wind, which can lead to unwanted exposure to non-target areas and organisms. When humidity levels are high, the air can hold more moisture, which affects the behavior of the pesticide droplets.

In high humidity conditions, droplets tend to be heavier and more likely to settle down to the ground rather than being carried away. This means that the pesticides will more likely remain on the target area rather than drifting through the air. Additionally, higher humidity can lead to larger droplet formation, which also contributes to reducing drift. This is essential for effective pest control while minimizing the risk of harming beneficial insects, nearby plants, or causing contamination of water sources. Therefore, the correct understanding is that high humidity effectively reduces drift during pesticide applications.