What are the best times to apply pesticides?

Applying pesticides during the morning and evening is optimal for several reasons. During these times, temperatures are generally cooler, which reduces the chances of pesticides evaporating too quickly and enhances adherence to the target pests. Additionally, there tends to be less wind in the morning and evening, minimizing the risk of drift onto non-target plants, water sources, or off-site areas. The lower temperatures and humidity levels during these times can also help maximize the effectiveness of the pesticide by allowing it to remain active on the plant surfaces longer, thus increasing pest control efficacy.

While mid-day and late afternoon applications can have higher temperatures and greater wind, nighttime applications may lead to dew formation, which can dilute or wash off the pesticide before it has time to act. Cloudy weather might be beneficial in terms of reducing evaporation, but it can also affect the efficacy if rain shortly follows. Therefore, the preference for morning and evening applications aligns best with optimal pesticide performance and environmental safety.