What should be checked before applying a pesticide?

Before applying a pesticide, it is crucial to check weather conditions, equipment calibration, and protective gear. Weather conditions are vital because factors such as wind speed, temperature, and humidity can significantly affect the pesticide's effectiveness and safety during application. For instance, high winds can lead to drift, causing the pesticide to unintentionally affect non-target areas or species.

Equipment calibration ensures that the pesticide is applied at the correct rate and coverage, which is essential for achieving the desired results while minimizing waste and environmental contamination. Proper calibration helps applicators avoid both under-application, which can be ineffective, and over-application, which can lead to harmful environmental impacts.

Protective gear is necessary to safeguard the applicator from potential exposure to harmful chemicals. This includes items like gloves, masks, and goggles, which help prevent skin contact and inhalation of pesticides, ensuring the applicator's safety during the application process.

In contrast, while checking soil pH and moisture levels can be relevant for understanding plant health and growth conditions, they are not immediate concerns just prior to pesticide application. Similarly, pest identification is important for determining which pesticide to use, but it doesn't directly relate to the procedural checks necessary to prepare for the application itself.