265 - A Standardized Protocol for Unmanned Droplet Characterization of Truck Amounted Cold Aerosol ULV Equipment Using ULV Diluent Oil

Confirming that cold aerosol ULV sprayers are calibrated correctly, through droplet characterization trials, is critical to help ensure optimum droplet size for successful applications and is a requirement for label adherence for many adult mosquito control products. Previous work has provided a wealth of detailed information on how to perform these trials; however, variations in these protocols do exist and no universal methodology has been adopted as an industry standard. Here we compare droplet characteristics from two different ULV insecticides, a ULV diluent oil, and two different probe placement methodologies (manned and unmanned). Trials of truck-mounted sprayers were conducted using a DC-IV hot-wire anemometer system where droplet number and size (Dv_0.5 and Dv_0.9) were recorded. On average, the unmanned method either collected more or very similar amounts of droplets. Furthermore, while differences in individual sprayers significantly affected Dv0.5, neither product type nor methodology had a significant impact on Dv0.5. As such, the use of ULV diluent and an unmanned probe placement methodology should be considered when performing droplet characterization, as it provides a standardized approach and necessitates less insecticide exposure.