Why is it important to calibrate pesticide equipment?

Calibrating pesticide equipment is essential to ensure correct dosage when applying pesticides. Accurate calibration ensures that the equipment delivers the right amount of pesticide to the target area, which is crucial for both effectiveness and safety. If too little pesticide is applied, it may not effectively control the pest, leading to crop damage or pest resurgence. Conversely, applying too much can cause harm to non-target organisms, lead to pesticide resistance, and violate legal application limits. Proper calibration allows applicators to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while minimizing environmental impact and avoiding waste.

Other factors, such as increasing application speed, controlling costs, or adhering to regulations, can indeed be benefits of well-calibrated equipment. However, these are secondary considerations; the primary focus should always be on administering pesticides at the correct dosage to maintain effective and safe pest management practices.