Sprayer Care

An alert landscape gardener or homeowner keeps their sprayer equipment ready for use. Modern sprayers are subjected to a lot of use and some of the pesticides that are most effective in insect and pest control can be very corrosive and damaging to tanks, hoses and nozzles of sprayers. This corrosion and damage can be prevented by washing out the spraying equipment thoroughly after each use.

Special Warning

Herbicides, such as 2,4-D, cannot be removed from equipment through any simple washing operation. For that reason alone every gardener, landscaper and DIY’er should have one sprayer for use against insects and diseases, and a separate plainly marked sprayer for weed killers (herbicides). The latter sprayer should be used only for weeds, since any trace of an herbicide left in it may be enough to kill or severely damage vegetables and flowers. The weed sprayer needs the same good care and attention given to other sprayers but it should be regarded strictly as a one-purpose tool.

Sprayers will last for many years if they are properly cared for. The first important rule is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding lubrication, adjustment, operation and care. Make it a rule to clean the sprayer after each use. This requires draining out any residue or leftover solution, then a thorough flushing of the tank with clear water 3 times. Nozzles should be disassembled and strainers and screens should be washed, using a soft bristle brush or compressed air to remove any dirt or particles that may be caught in the screens. Before reassembling, pump clean water through the discharge system to flush out the hoses and nozzles and to discharge any residues. In reassembling, look for worn or defective parts and replace them immediately.

The job of checking a sprayer is easy and should be done regularly. Ordinary tools are all that are required, a wrench for brass fittings, pliers for removing pins and clamps, a screwdriver for removing and attaching hoses, and a soft cloth or sponge for the cleaning.

With the sprayer disassembled, clean and wash each part including hose, nozzle parts, and shutoff valves. Check each gasket to see that it is sound before it is put back into use.

Storing for Winter

Before storing the sprayer for the winter it will be well to pour some good clean water in the tank and wash it thoroughly. Then allow the tank to be left open until all moisture has evaporated. Sprayers treated in this manner will be ready for use in the spring. It is just as important to wash out carefully small hand sprayers to keep them free of corrosion.

Sprayers are not complicated equipment that need attention of a trained mechanic. They do need the attention of a good caretaker. With proper care they will continue to give good service for many years. But with careless handling, or misuse such as making it a storage tank for spray solutions, a good piece of equipment may be ruined in a single season.

Related Articles

• Sprayers Lighten the Job of Pest Control - Spraying the landscape or garden is easier now, although it never was a difficult task. It’s easier because of the labor-saving features built into the new garden sprayers. Some of the standard models have been redesigned and there are new models, too, planned to make spraying virtually a pushbutton job. New accessories available at your
• Spraying Equipment for the Home Garden - Any insecticide-fungicide spray program can only be as successful as the accuracy and consistency of the equipment used. Finding fully satisfactory spray equipment is often not easy for the home growers. Seek advice from others, read online reviews and then make a trial of various types until you find a system most satisfactory for your