Texas Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What should be checked with clean water before adding pesticide to a sprayer?

1. Battery charge

2. Nozzle discharge rate and sprayer calibration

3. Pesticide concentration

4. Sprayer weight

The correct answer is: Nozzle discharge rate and sprayer calibration

Before adding pesticide to a sprayer, it is essential to check the nozzle discharge rate and sprayer calibration using clean water to ensure that the equipment is functioning correctly. This step helps verify that the sprayer is delivering the correct amount of solution at the intended rate. Proper calibration ensures that the pesticide will be applied uniformly and at the appropriate concentration, which is critical for effective pest control and minimizing environmental impact. By testing with clean water, you can also identify any issues with nozzle performance, such as clogs or inconsistent flow rates, before introducing pesticides into the system. Ensuring that the sprayer is calibrated appropriately prevents over-application or under-application of the pesticide, thereby optimizing pest control effectiveness and reducing the risk of harming non-target organisms. Checking other factors, such as battery charge, pesticide concentration, or sprayer weight, is not as directly relevant to the initial preparation and operational readiness of the applicator equipment when using clean water for testing. These aspects can be important at different stages or for specific equipment types, but they do not directly influence the immediate performance of the sprayer in relation to pesticide application.