Why is it critical to calibrate application equipment?

Calibrating application equipment is essential to ensure pesticide effectiveness. Proper calibration allows for the accurate delivery of the product at the correct rate and pressure, which is vital for optimal performance against pests such as termites. If the equipment is not calibrated, it may either apply too much, leading to waste and potential harm to non-target organisms, or too little, resulting in insufficient pest control. Therefore, regular calibration helps maintain the balance necessary for effective pest management while adhering to guidelines for safe pesticide use.

While minimizing operator exposure, reducing product consumption, and avoiding environmental damage are important considerations in pesticide application, these factors are secondary outcomes that can result from effective calibration. If the equipment is delivering the right amount of pesticide effectively, operator exposure may be minimized as fewer applications may be needed, product consumption would be efficient, and the risk of environmental harm would be reduced due to targeted application. Hence, ensuring pesticide effectiveness stands out as the primary reason for the calibration of application equipment.