Solid Formulations

1. Dusts:
2. Granules
3. Bait
4. Insecticide-fertilizer mixture

1. Dusts:

• Insecticides mixed with dust carriers are called dusts.
• The particle size of dust ranges between 1 and 40 in general, the toxicity of an insecticide increases as the particle size decreases.
• The finished product may contain 0.1-25% toxicant and the rest other carriers.
• Examples of carriers are organic flour (wood bark, walnut shell flour), pulverized talc, gypsum, kaolins, and volcanic ash. ‘D’ signifies the nature of the formulation.

Advantage

• It is ready for use and can be applied to plant directly
• Any water scarcity problem is overcome

Disadvantage

• Dust drift problem
• Poor deposit on the target plants may result
• There is a greater risk of contaminating animals and humans
• It is the least effective and uneconomical

2. Granules:

• The formulation is prepared by impregnation of prepared granules by sticking the powdered pesticide onto the outside of the inert granules.
• Because of their large particle size (0.25-2.4 mm, there is little or no drift and slow release of insecticide from the granule protection of the young plant for the first few weeks of its life.

Advantage

• It is ready for use
• It does not drift
• It is relatively non-toxic to the applicator
• Slow release of toxic material is achieved
• Loss of pesticide is minimum
• No water requirement

Disadvantage

• Foliage cannot be treated by granules
• The manufacturing cost is high