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Pesticides are supplied
in a number of different physical forms, or
formulations. Products may be in the form of dust,
aerosol spray, wettable powder, liquid concentrate,
and granules. The pesticide itself is made of one or
more active ingredients (poison) plus inactive
carriers like clay or oil. Aerosol sprays also
contain a propellent that pressurizes the can.
Dust (D)
formulations are dry with the active ingredient bound
to clay or some other fine powder, or made entirely
from pure active ingredient such as silica or borate.
The problem with dust formulations is they are
difficult to apply evenly.
Aerosols sprays
(spray cans) are convenient because the active
ingredient is pre-mixed and you don't need a separate
sprayer. Aerosols are relatively expensive, however,
on a per volume basis and so are best used only for
small areas.
Wettable powder (WP)
pesticides are dust-like formulations that are
mixed with water, or sometimes oil, and sprayed
through a sprayer. Wettable powders are economical and
solve the application problems inherent in dust
formulations.
Liquid concentrate (LC) pesticides are
diluted with water and applied through some type of
sprayer. Liquid concentrates are economical and
generally easy to apply but you will need a separate
sprayer.
The final commonly used formulation is granular
pesticides (G). Granules are course, dry pellets
that are applied thrugh some type of spreader. Turf
and lawn care pesticides are often applied as
granules.
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