What should be avoided when spraying near water?

When spraying near water, avoiding runoff is critical because it can lead to unintended contamination of aquatic environments. Runoff occurs when the pesticide solution flows over surfaces and can carry harmful chemicals into streams, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. This contamination poses significant risks to aquatic life, including fish and plant species, which are sensitive to chemical exposure.

The focus on avoiding runoff also aligns with best management practices in pest control, emphasizing environmental protection. Additionally, regulations may explicitly restrict or guide pesticide applications near water bodies, reinforcing the importance of minimizing runoff to preserve water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

In contrast, high pressure and windy conditions also merit caution during pesticide application; however, they are more related to the precision and effectiveness of the application rather than directly impacting water safety as runoff does. High pressure might increase drift or runoff during application, and windy conditions can cause pesticides to drift away from the target area, potentially leading to both efficacy issues and environmental concerns. While both of these factors are important to consider, the primary concern specifically in relation to protecting water resources is runoff.