Choosing the Best Nozzle Spray Pattern for Pest Control

Spray nozzles are an important part of your spraying equipment as they directly influence the spray pattern, application volume and droplet size. As different nozzles are designed for different application functions, selecting the right one to match your job is essential for achieving effective results. Let’s explore the best nozzle spray patterns for professional pest control to help you make the best choice.

What nozzle spray patterns are available?

The spray pattern of your nozzle is the pattern the liquid creates when it is applied to a surface. In professional pest control, the most common spray patterns are fan, cone and pin stream. The spray pattern of the nozzle affects the coverage of your target area so choosing the proper spray pattern is crucial to ensure optimal distribution of your pesticide.

Fan Spray Nozzles

Fan spray nozzles produce a narrow, elliptical line of spray. These are the most commonly used nozzles in pest control applications as they provide the ideal distribution of liquid when treating flat surfaces, for example walls and ceilings.

As the majority of the liquid is delivered in the centre of the pattern, overlapping each pass by roughly one third will provide you with even coverage when treating horizontal and vertical surfaces.

Fan spray nozzles are available in various spray angles to suit the coverage needed. In most pest control applications, nozzles with a spray angle from 0° for crack and crevice sprays (see Pin Stream Nozzles below) to 80° for larger areas are used.

Note that the spray angle indicated by the spray tip is nominal, based on operating at 40 PSI (2.8 bar) with water, and will fluctuate depending on spray pressure. A higher pressure results in a wider spray angle, within the individual nozzle’s limits.

Cone Spray Nozzles

Full cone nozzles produce a circular pattern of spray. They are best suited for treating three-dimensional objects such as plants and bushes and are generally not suitable for treating flat surfaces as their use can result in over-application of insecticide.

Like fan spray nozzles, cone spray nozzles are also available in different spray angles, with some being adjustable from a cone spray into a pin stream.

Pin Stream Nozzles

Pin stream nozzles are also known as 0° pin nozzles or solid stream nozzles. Pin stream nozzles produce a thin, straight stream of liquid making them ideal for applications within cracks and crevices where insects may be harbouring.

What are adjustable spray nozzles?

While many spray nozzles have a fixed output where the spray pattern and delivery rate cannot be changed by the operator, there are also adjustable spray nozzles available that provide more efficiency and flexibility within a single nozzle.

Just be aware that small adjustments to the spray angle or spray pattern can result in large changes in delivery rate so you may need to adjust your flow rate to ensure the correct amount of pesticide is applied to your target area.

What is the best nozzle spray pattern for my pest control job?

Now that you understand the various spray patterns available, you can make the right decision for each job based on factors such as the surfaces you’re spraying and the coverage area.

Shop our wide range of nozzles and other spraying equipment online now or contact the friendly and knowledgeable team at your local Globe Pest Solutions branch for personalised advice on choosing the right nozzle for your spraying needs.