Which of the following practices helps minimize pesticide drift during application?

Using larger droplet sizes during pesticide application is an effective practice for minimizing pesticide drift. Drift occurs when small droplets are carried away by wind, leading to unintended application of pesticides to non-target areas. Larger droplets are less susceptible to being affected by wind currents, as they fall more quickly to the ground and are less likely to travel significant distances from the target area.

In contrast, applying pesticides during high wind conditions can increase the risk of drift, as the wind can carry smaller droplets far from the intended application zone. Mixing different pesticides together may also pose risks, including potential chemical reactions or loss of effectiveness, and could increase volatility or drift potential. Skipping buffer zones, which are areas left untreated between the application site and adjacent sensitive areas, would increase the risk of drift affecting those areas and is not a recommended practice. By choosing to use larger droplet sizes, applicators can significantly reduce the potential for drift and ensure more effective and safe pesticide use.