What is a primary advantage of applying pesticides during early morning or late evening?

Applying pesticides during early morning or late evening takes advantage of lower air movement, which significantly reduces the risk of drift. Drift occurs when aerosolized droplets are carried away by wind to unintended areas, potentially harming non-target species or neighboring crops. During the calmer parts of the day, the likelihood of drift diminishes as there is less wind activity, allowing for more precise targeting of the intended pest population.

In these times of reduced wind, it also becomes easier to maintain the integrity of the pesticide application, ensuring that a higher percentage of the chemical reaches the intended area without being dispersed away. This practice enhances effectiveness and minimizes the negative environmental impacts often associated with pesticide usage.

Other considerations, such as temperature, visibility, and pest activity, may contribute to the timing of applications, but they do not relate as directly to the key advantage of minimizing drift as the factor of reduced air movement does.