Ask an Expert - Frequently Asked Questions
Is vegetation management necessary? What is residual control? Common questions (Frequently Asked Questions) and the simple, smart answers that can make your life easier.
Why is vegetation management necessary?
From well sites to roadsides to construction and forestry situations, controlling tough weeds is the right thing to do for a number of reasons. These include safe site access for service and maintenance, safe sight lines for trains and road-bound vehicles, fire prevention and also preserving and enhancing what is already there.
Can you mow?
Mowing still plays a role in weed and brush control. But mowing isn't enough. Cutting off plant tops promotes rapid re-sprouting and spreads problem weeds. Mowing is also very hard on wildlife and can be dangerous to equipment operators.
What is residual control?
A residual herbicide is one that stays active over a period of time, controlling vegetation and new germinating seedlings after the initial application. This extends the interval between treatments thus saving you time, money and resources. Residual control varies between different products, therefore it is important to align your treatment to the life of a particular site.
My customer does not want residual products used on site, what can you offer and what are my options?
Depending on the size of the site, mowers and weed eaters can be used alone or in combination with chemical weed control. While chemical control with residual action can reduce the number of herbicide applications on a site, you must also balance this with a no-residual request. Depending on the weeds to be controlled, it is possible to choose herbicides that provide very little residual control.
What is selective control? Non selective? Spot spraying?
Selective spraying works to control noxious weeds by using herbicides with modes of action that target only the problem species, For example, only broadleaf weeds. On the other hand, non-selective herbicide application works to control all vegetation it contacts. And spot spraying targets vegetation in a specific area.
Have the herbicides you use been thoroughly tested?
From registration of a new molecule to product registration takes approximately four years of testing and data collection. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) (http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/) oversees the process, balancing risks (human, environment, operator) with the real need to providing applicators the products that can safely and effectively manage weed pests.
How will what your’re doing affect me, my kids, or my livestock?
Pesticides are always applied with consideration to both the problem and the location. Where required, land owners are notified well in advance. If necessary, notices are clearly posted with application timing and requirements. Non-toxic herbicides are available and can be applied to grazing areas. If in doubt, contact your Dow AgroSciences rep (Ask Your Rep) well before application.
