Which practice should be avoided when applying pesticides to minimize environmental impact?

Minimizing environmental impact during pesticide application is crucial for protecting non-target organisms and maintaining ecological balance. Applying pesticides when wind speeds are high poses significant risks. Wind can carry pesticide particles away from the target area, leading to unintended drifting. This drift can contaminate nearby water bodies, affect beneficial insect populations, harm wildlife, and even impact human health if the pesticides drift into residential areas or agricultural land where crops are still growing.

In contrast, practices such as selecting pesticides with lower toxicity, applying pesticides in calm weather, and using buffer zones are all strategies designed to reduce risk and minimize environmental harm. These approaches demonstrate responsible pesticide use by ensuring that products are used effectively and safely.