5 Spraying Mistakes That Cost You Money

Whether you're preparing a food plot, maintaining roads and trails, or trying to keep weeds under control around your property, spraying can save a tremendous amount of time and labor. But herbicide isn't cheap, and a poorly planned application can quickly turn into wasted money.

Good spraying isn't about putting more chemical in the tank. It's about applying the right amount of product, in the right place, under the right conditions. Before you fill your tank and head to the field, here are five common spraying mistakes to avoid—and a few ways the Plot Blaster Spraying System can help you get more from every application.

 

1. Spraying When It's Too Windy

One of the easiest ways to waste herbicide is allowing it to drift away from the vegetation you're trying to treat. Wind can carry spray droplets away from the target area, reducing the amount of product that actually reaches your weeds. More importantly, off-target movement can potentially damage desirable vegetation nearby.

Always check conditions before spraying and follow the herbicide label regarding wind speed and other application restrictions. You can also take steps to reduce drift. Plot Blaster's 5-in-1 Drift Agent is designed to help reduce spray drift while also functioning as a surfactant, sticker, pH conditioner, and tank cleaner.

The goal is simple: keep more of your spray where you intended to put it.

2. Running Your Nozzle Too High

It can be tempting to raise your nozzle higher to create a wider spray pattern, but higher isn't always better. The farther spray droplets have to travel through the air, the more opportunity there is for them to move off target.

That's one reason the Original Plot Blaster Boomless Sprayer features an easily adjustable nozzle height. You can position the nozzle to achieve the spray pattern needed for the job without unnecessarily putting your application high into the air. Take a minute before spraying to check your pattern with clean water. Make adjustments before there's expensive herbicide in the tank.

 

3. Guessing at Your Mix Rate

If the label calls for a certain amount of product, adding a little extra isn't necessarily going to give you better weed control. Likewise, trying to stretch herbicide by using too little may result in poor control and the need for another application.

Know the size of the area you're treating, calibrate your sprayer, read the product label, and measure accurately. A simple tool like the Plot Blaster Measuring Cup can eliminate the temptation to eyeball your mixture. Small measuring errors can add up quickly when you're mixing multiple tanks throughout the year.

Measure it. Don't guess.

 

4. Ignoring Your Spray Tips

Your pump can be running and your tank can be full, but that doesn't necessarily mean your sprayer is performing correctly. Worn, damaged, or partially clogged spray tips can affect your spray pattern and application consistency.

Before treating a large area, fill the system with clean water and take a look at the pattern. If something doesn't look right, inspect your nozzle before proceeding.

It's also important to match your spray setup to the job. The Original Plot Blaster is designed for wide coverage when treating food plots and other larger areas. When you need a more targeted application along fence rows, roads, trails, pond banks, or property edges, the Side Swiper Boom Attachment provides directional spraying instead. Using the right pattern can help you avoid spraying areas that don't need treatment.

5. Putting Your Sprayer Away Dirty

When you're tired after a day of spraying, it's easy to park the UTV and tell yourself you'll clean everything tomorrow. That's a habit worth breaking.

Residue left inside tanks, hoses, pumps, and nozzles can cause problems later. It's especially important to properly clean equipment when switching between products because residues from a previous application could contaminate the next tank.

Always follow the pesticide label's cleanout instructions. Properly rinse and flush the system as required, and inspect your equipment before putting it away. Your next spraying job will be much easier when you're starting with clean, properly functioning equipment.

 

Make Every Tank Count

A successful application isn't determined by how quickly you can empty the tank.

Pay attention to weather conditions, nozzle height, mix rates, spray patterns, and equipment maintenance. Those small details can make a big difference in how efficiently you use your herbicide.

The Plot Blaster Spraying System was designed to make property management easier, whether you're preparing food plots, maintaining roads and trails, or controlling unwanted vegetation around your land. Because when you're spending your time and money spraying, you want as much of that application as possible doing the job you intended it to do.

Spray smarter. Waste less. Make every tank count.