Which Pesticide Sprayer Should I Use?

Many different pest or weed issues can arise, so it's best to be prepared. This includes having the right pesticide products and equipment. Most liquid pesticides require a sprayer to disperse the product to the target pest or weed, but it's important to use the right sprayer for the application.

Depending on whether your issue is small or large, you have several sprayer options: a handheld sprayer, a backpack sprayer, a hose-end sprayer, or a professional pesticide spray rig. This sprayer buyer's guide will touch on each spray option to help you decide which pesticide sprayer is best for you!

Pesticide Sprayer Types

Handheld Pump Sprayer

Handheld pump sprayers work by pumping air into the tank to create pressure for spray applications. Depending on the tank's size or model, these sprayers usually hold 1 or 2 gallons.

Handheld sprayers are great for pesticide applications around homes, such as targeted spot treatments, or for barrier spraying around windows, doors, or other entry points to the structure.

Of course, you can always use a handheld pump sprayer for broadcast applications, but it may be more time-consuming and require frequent pumping to maintain pressure within the spray tank.

Backpack Sprayer

Backpack sprayers are typically larger than handheld sprayers and are worn on the operator's back. They usually hold up to 4 or 5 gallons of spray solution. Backpack sprayers can work via manual handpumps like handheld pump sprayers or can be battery-powered.

We recommend using a backpack sprayer if you have a large yard and need to cover more ground depending on your pest situation. This is a nice option; because of the tank's capacity, you will not have to stop and remix and refill your sprayer during a pesticide spray job. It also lessens operator fatigue since it is worn on the back rather than being held.

Hose-End Sprayer

Hose-end sprayers are convenient sprayer tools that you attach to a hose and use the water dispensed from the hose to apply the product. Simply add a measured amount of pesticide concentrate to the hose-end reservoir for broadcast spraying product on trees, shrubs, turf, and other areas around a yard.

Hose-end sprayers can deliver up to 20 gallons of product in a single session. Use Hose-End Sprayers when applying a large volume of pesticide over a vast space, which wouldn't be feasible with a backpack sprayer or handheld pump sprayer.

Hose-end sprayers are also a great option when treating soil-borne diseases or subsurface turf pests. By using large amounts of water, you can push the pesticide down deep into the soil or turf's root zone for a more effective treatment.

Pesticide Spray Rig

Pesticide spray rigs, or skid sprayers, are spraying units designed to be placed onto the back of a truck or trailer and are mainly used by professionals. They are often powered by a gasoline engine or a 12-volt battery (for electric spay rigs) and have a pressurizing pump and a large tank that can house 50 to 500 gallons of liquid.

Pesticide spraying rigs are best used to treat extensive properties, such as golf courses, parks, athletic fields, or other vast landscapes that can span an acre or more. Pest management professionals commonly use skid sprayers to help them complete larger, tougher jobs much faster and more efficiently.