Do smaller spray droplets experience more lateral movement in 1 mile per hour wind compared to larger droplets?

Smaller spray droplets do indeed experience more lateral movement in low-speed winds, such as 1 mile per hour, compared to larger droplets. This phenomenon occurs because smaller droplets have a larger surface area relative to their volume, which makes them more susceptible to being carried away by lighter air currents.

When wind blows, especially at low speeds, it can exert more force on smaller droplets, causing them to drift further from the intended target area than larger droplets, which are heavier and tend to resist wind movement better. Larger droplets are less affected by wind due to their mass and momentum, allowing them to drop more directly to the target location.

The dynamics of droplet size and wind interaction are critical in aerial application because they influence not only the efficacy of pest control but also the potential for off-target movement. Therefore, understanding the behavior of different droplet sizes in relation to environmental conditions like wind is essential for effective and responsible pesticide application.