Buffering Agents

A buffering agent is an adjuvant that is often added to herbicides to improve its overall performance and stability.

Buffering agents are used to change the water's pH and hardness and increase the dispersion or solubility of herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizer compounds in alkaline or acidic waters used in making up a solution. While still considered an adjuvant, a buffering agent works differently by adjusting and stabilizing the pH in solutions. 

They are added to higher pH solutions to prevent the alkaline hydrolysis (a chemical reaction) of some organophosphate (OP) and carbamate insecticides. In other words, they are helpful chemicals that improve the control of product uptake and performance.

In contrast, an adjuvant enhances its effectiveness by improving its application, absorption, or stability. 

Buffering agents are very easy to add to a herbicide. Simply mix a small dosage according to the product label to a diluted mixture of herbicide concentrate and agitate, and then you can apply it to the intended area. Some buffering agents are already pre-mixed in herbicide products for convenience.

Shop our top recommended buffering agents and products below. If you need help selecting the right adjuvant for your herbicide application or would like more information on how to modify a pesticide properly, our experienced pest control specialists will be more than happy to help you

Our Recommendation

We recommend Alligare Water Conditioner Gold to enhance the performance of most pesticide products. 

This helps give you quicker results by helping your herbicide pass through natural barriers of plants. It is a non-ionic surfactant that is combined with a water conditioning agent that helps reduce the effects of hard water mineral buildup. 

How to Use Buffering Agents

Step 1: Add The Buffering Agent To the Sprayer

Fill your sprayer (preferably a large capacity sprayer tank such as for a professional spray rig) about halfway with water.

Then add Alligare Water Conditioner Gold to the sprayer at a rate of 1 to 3 quarts per 100 gallons of spray solution for ground and aerial application. For most uses, the recommended rate is 2 quarts per 100 gallons.

Begin agitation to your sprayer.

Step 2: Mix in Pesticide Concentrate

Add the desired rate of your chosen pesticide to be used as directed by your product's label. Continue agitation until the solution is well mixed.

Step 3: Apply the Mixture To Target Area 

Begin applying the mixture you created the target area where the weed is present. It is recommended to test your solution in a small area to see if the product has thickened. If it hasn’t you may have to add another small amount of the buffering agent.

Key Takeaways

• Buffering agents are a resourceful adjuvant that when mixed with a powerful insecticide changes their properties and enhances their performance
• Adding a buffering agent to a pesticide mixture requires a selected pesticide active ingredient, a buffering agent product like the one we mentioned, and a tank sprayer
• Make sure to check the label for specific instructions in regards to rates and mixing
• The buffering agents we carry give you the most value for the price. You won’t find them at big box stores as it is a specialty items.