When is pesticide usage prohibited in New Mexico?

Pesticide usage is prohibited during high winds, heavy rains, or when conditions may lead to drift due to the potential for these conditions to result in unintended spread of the pesticide. Drift is a significant concern in pesticide application as it can lead to contamination of non-target areas, affecting neighboring fields, plants, or even water sources. The law prioritizes environmental safety and public health, making these prohibitions crucial to prevent unintentional harm to people, wildlife, and the ecosystem.

In addition, using pesticides under such adverse weather conditions can compromise the effectiveness of the pesticide, resulting in ineffective pest control and leading to an increased amount of chemical application, which can have further negative environmental impacts. Therefore, the regulations are established to ensure responsible application practices that consider both pest management efficacy and environmental protection.