NAVMED P-5010-8 - Navy Medicine - U.S. Navy

8-10 CHAPTER 8. NAVY ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST CONTROL TECHNOLOGY 8-11
(6) Soil sterilants are normally
thought of as an herbicide treatment to control
unwanted vegetation in a given area for 6
months or more. Some sterilants are specific for
soil dwelling animal species. Fumigants in this
category are often used to control both plant and
animal life.
(7) Systemics are compounds
absorbed by and translocated throughout the
host plant or animal to kill parasites sucking
juice or body fluids, respectively. Herbicides
may be systemic and kill the treated plant (root
and aerial).
(8) Growth regulators are synthetic
hormone-like compounds that prevent normal
growth of and/or maturity of the target plant or
animal species.
8-11. Pesticide Formulations and Dispersal
a. General. Few pesticides are used in
the originally produced concentrated forms.
Most of these compounds must be specially
formulated to permit adequate and effective
application. Formulations are prepared from the
highest concentrated (technical-grade) form of
the pesticide and may contain auxiliary carrier or
dispersal compounds such as emulsifiers,
solvents, or other special additives. Virtually all
preparation of concentrated material for military
use is done commercially. Dilution of the
concentrate with oil or water is all that is
normally required. Dry dusts or granules are
usually prepared in a ready-to-use form and
require no further processing.
b. Formulation Selection. Selection of
the proper formulation for a specific control
measure is as important as the choice of
pesticide. The various formulations into which
pesticides may be prepared are:
(1) Oil Solutions. Oil solutions
consist of the toxicant mixed into a petroleumbased
diluent. They are effective for penetrating
cracks and crevices. They may be used around
electrical equipment or power distribution
panels, but the oil must not contact the wiring or
insulation because of its solvent properties.
These solutions may be used where dampness or
water cause problems or where there is a need to
apply insecticides in cold weather. Oil solutions
are also applied as space aerosols or sprays
either indoors or outdoors for knockdown or kill
of insects. Space sprays are effective against
flying insects only while the particles remain
suspended in the air. Droplets that settle from
spray applications may be effective as short-time
residuals depending upon their particle size and
insecticide characteristics. It must be remembered
that oil solutions are phytotoxic and care
must be taken when using them around desired
vegetation. Oil solutions cannot be exposed to
high temperatures or open flames, and their
solvent action precludes their application to
some synthetic substances (e.g., composition,
fabric or plastic materials). Oil solutions are
generally more readily absorbed through the
skin and also more odorous than other kinds of
preparations.
(2) Emulsions. An emulsion consists
of droplets of an emulsifiable pesticide dispersed
in a diluent in such a way as to prevent separation
of the two components. The emulsifiable
concentrate is a preparation of the toxicant, a
solvent and the emulsifier, which is often some
form of detergent. Emulsifiable concentrates are
almost always diluted with water, but can be
diluted with oil to form an oil solution.
"Breaking," the gradual separation of the water
and other ingredients, occurs with time so the
preparation must be used when freshly mixed.
Occasional agitation may be necessary during
use. Emulsions can be used on synthetic organic
materials around heat or open flames and with
care on vegetation.
(3) Suspensions. Suspensions are
generally mixtures of wettable powder with
water. The wettable powder consists of a
mineral base impregnated with the pesticide plus
agents to "wet" and suspend the powder in
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