Mosquitoes
Calibration
Calibration is getting the correct amount of insecticide over the correct area in the correct span of time. The part that we sometimes overlook is the speed of the vehicle. We are careful to calibrate our spray machine to deliver the correct number of ounces/minute and then don't worry about how fast the vehicle travels. You should not trust a speedometer to accurately read 15 mph without checking it.
At 15 mph a vehicle travels 1,320 feet in one (1) minute. In 10 seconds it travels 220 feet. Mark off a length of 220 feet using spray paint or flags. Drive the vehicle over the marked course at a steady speed with the speedometer reading 15 mph. A helper, either in or outside the vehicle, can time the event with the second hand of a watch. If the course was covered in less than 10 seconds, slow down; if more than 10 seconds, speed up. This should be done a few times just to be sure of the results. When the 220 feet is traveled in 10 seconds, the vehicle is going 15 mph regardless of what the speedometer reads. The driver should then maintain the indicated speedometer reading when treating for mosquitoes.
