True or False: Drift is the unintentional airborne movement of pesticides to nontarget areas.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not recognized
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (A)

Drifting occurs when pesticide particles become airborne and move away from where they were applied, reaching non-target areas. This unintentional airborne movement can happen as spray droplets or vapors, and it can affect nearby crops, gardens, water, wildlife, or people who weren’t the intended targets. That makes the statement true. Knowing this helps you apply pesticides more carefully: choose appropriate droplet sizes (not excessively fine), select suitable nozzles and pressures, and avoid spraying in conditions that promote drift, such as high winds or temperature inversions. Drift-reduction practices like lowering the boom height, using drift-reducing adjuvants, and establishing buffer zones also help protect non-target areas. Some products are more prone to vapor drift due to volatility, so timing and product choice matter as well.