What adjustment should be made to increase overlap during pesticide spraying?

To increase overlap during pesticide spraying, raising the nozzles is the appropriate adjustment. When nozzles are positioned higher above the target area, the spray pattern widens. This allows for the droplets to disperse more broadly and overlap with previous swathes of spray, ensuring better coverage and more uniform application on the treated area.

With greater nozzle height, while one might concern over possible drift or uneven coverage at lower heights, the fundamental principle of increasing overlap effectively is achieved as the spray reaches more area. Correctly managed, this technique can minimize gaps in coverage, which is essential for effective pest control and weed management.

In contrast, adjusting the nozzles lower typically reduces overlap, as the spray pattern becomes narrower and more concentrated directly below the nozzle. Changing the speed of the sprayer can also affect application efficiency but does not directly influence the overlap between passes of the spray. Additionally, using a different pesticide does not inherently change the overlap; it pertains more to the chemical choice than the application technique. Thus, raising the nozzles is the most effective method to achieve increased overlap in pesticide spraying.