Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the rocket domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /home/dsimlife/public_html/davidrayhomes.com/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 {"id":4723,"date":"2021-08-31T04:01:29","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T04:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/?p=4723"},"modified":"2024-02-19T13:35:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T13:35:07","slug":"what-is-a-surfactant-and-how-to-use-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/2021084723\/what-is-a-surfactant-and-how-to-use-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u00a0Is a Surfactant\u00a0and How to Use\u00a0It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you struggle with applying the best liquid\u00a0solution\u00a0for your herbicides? Let\u2019s face it,\u00a0watching\u00a0liquid solution\u00a0roll\u00a0off the ends of\u00a0the\u00a0leaves of plants you are treating is the last thing you would like to see.\u00a0A liquid herbicide that rolls off leaves is a waste of time, money, and effort.\u00a0That\u2019s the reason why you need a surfactant<\/strong>\u00a0when treating your lawn with herbicide.<\/p>\n

Every professional knows the importance of allowing an herbicide to soak in\u00a0for maximum effectiveness.\u00a0So, here\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a0quick guide on how to use a surfactant and when to apply one.<\/p>\n

What\u00a0Is a\u00a0Surfactant?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Simply put, a surfactant is a wetting agent that prevents herbicide from rolling off plants\u2019 leaves, allowing absorption of the chemical applied. It works like a \u201cbuffer\u201d that breaks the surface tension of the liquid, so the solution sticks better to the plant\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n

Plants naturally block water and chemical solutions through their waxy exterior and cuticle. Thus, a surfactant breaks down this resistance\u00a0allowing the proper absorption of the\u00a0herbicide\u00a0that is\u00a0applied to it.<\/p>\n

When to\u00a0Use a\u00a0Surfactant<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Firstly, a surfactant is not used alone.\u00a0It\u00a0must be used in combination with other liquid products like fungicides, fertilizers, insecticides, or, most frequently, with herbicides for weed control.<\/p>\n

When treating your lawn weeds with a surfactant, you must:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Determine the type of weed you would like to treat<\/li>\n
  • Get a selective herbicide labeled to control the specific\u00a0weed\u00a0you are experiencing<\/li>\n
  • Purchase a surfactant that works in combination with the herbicide or fertilizer you will apply<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    How to\u00a0Use a\u00a0Surfactant<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    There are two ways you can apply a surfactant:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • You can mix the surfactant with the herbicide in the same container and apply them simultaneously to the\u00a0plant<\/li>\n
    • Or you can apply the wetting agent first and then follow it with herbicide spray<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The mixing method, however, saves more time spent\u00a0during application. Some herbicides and insecticides contain surfactants mixed with the active ingredient.<\/p>\n

      For example, when spraying a broadleaf weed, mix a surfactant with\u00a0an\u00a0herbicide so that the solution will stick to the surface better.<\/p>\n

      Which\u00a0Surfactant\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0Need<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      There are several types of surfactants that you can use for various applications\u2014herbicide, insecticide, or fungicide.<\/p>\n

      Non-ionic surfactants<\/strong>\u00a0are neutral, neither positively nor negatively charged. This type of surfactant is widely popular since its neutral charge reduces a reaction when mixed with chemical solutions.<\/p>\n

      Methylated seed oils<\/strong>, also known as MSOs, are soy-based surfactants that help penetrate waxy cuticles and reduce evaporation of the product.<\/p>\n

      Oil concentrates<\/strong>\u00a0are specialty oils mixed with surfactants. The oil helps surfactants interact and mix with certain chemicals. They may be used with insecticides, fertilizers, or fungicides. Read the product label if your product can be combined with oil concentrate.<\/p>\n

      Many products that are used on plants, such as herbicides, have\u00a0built-in surfactants<\/strong>. This formulation saves time and money.<\/p>\n

      Other\u00a0Things to\u00a0Remember<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      When using a surfactant, it\u2019s important to read the product label and ask the following:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Is this product safe to use on a specific plant?<\/li>\n
      • How much herbicide solution do I need to achieve the best results?<\/li>\n
      • Do I need a surfactant to apply this herbicide or pesticide?<\/li>\n
      • How much surfactant do I need?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Get the correct measurement or ratio of the herbicide and surfactant you will mix. You can check the label of the surfactant in case the herbicide label does not explicitly mention it.<\/p>\n

        Mix the solutions according to the product label\u2019s instructions. You can either use a pump or backpack\u00a0sprayer, depending on the product requirement.<\/p>\n

        What to\u00a0Remember\u00a0When\u00a0Using a\u00a0Surfactant<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        • We advise that you spray your mix of surfactant and herbicide directly onto the foliage of individual plants on all sides. Make sure to contact growing tips and bud terminals too.<\/li>\n
        • Timing is also crucial in the application. It is recommended that you apply herbicides when plants are actively growing. Ideally, it would be best if you treated plants during spring when they are emerging. The beginning of fall is also good since plants are storing up nutrients in preparation for winter.<\/li>\n
        • Don\u2019t apply herbicides in drought or similar conditions that prevent plant growth. We highly discourage application during windy days, as the liquid herbicide can drift to desirable plants or in areas where children and pets might be. Keep the area clear for a few days to ensure safety.<\/li>\n
        • The best practice is always to wear protective gear when handling chemicals\u00a0such as pesticides for lawn care<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Do you struggle with applying the best liquid\u00a0solution\u00a0for your herbicides? Let\u2019s face it,\u00a0watching\u00a0liquid solution\u00a0roll\u00a0off the ends of\u00a0the\u00a0leaves of plants you are treating is the last thing you would like to see.\u00a0A liquid herbicide that rolls off leaves is a waste of time, money, and effort.\u00a0That\u2019s the reason why you need a surfactant\u00a0when treating your lawn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[343,970,972,971],"class_list":{"0":"post-4723","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tips","8":"tag-lawn-care","9":"tag-surfactant","10":"tag-surfactant-for-plants","11":"tag-what-is-surfactant"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4723","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4723"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9889,"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4723\/revisions\/9889"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidrayhomes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}