How to identify expired pesticides? A few practical methods

In agricultural production, if an expired pesticide is used by mistake, at best it will have no control effect, and at worst it can harm crops, causing reduced yields or even total crop failure. Below, we introduce several methods for identifying expired pesticides to our readers.

Dry powder type If this type of pesticide appears damp on the surface and forms a wet ball when gripped by hand, it is semi-expired; if it forms a soft lump, it is completely expired. Normal dry powder pesticides should show no moisture absorption or caking.

Wettable powder type Pour a small amount of the pesticide into a container, add an appropriate amount of water and stir it into a paste, then add a small amount of clean water and stir evenly, let it stand and observe. If the pesticide has not deteriorated, its suspension is good, the powder particles settle slowly, and the sediment is especially small. Otherwise, it is a pesticide that has expired or deteriorated to varying degrees and should be used with caution.

Emulsion type When identifying this type of pesticide, first shake the bottle vigorously, let it stand for about 1 hour, then observe. If layering appears, it indicates that the pesticide has already expired. In addition, you can place the bottle in warm water and observe after it absorbs heat; if the pesticide has not deteriorated, the sediment in the bottle will slowly dissolve and even disappear completely; otherwise, it is an expired pesticide.