Aerial spraying has been around for as long as there have been flying machines to spray from. Texas has a rich history in this practice due to it agrarian roots. Most Texans find themselves trying to rid themselves of those pesky prickly pears and of course the invasive mesquite in an effort to grow more grass. It can be a pain to clean up and get rid of, but it’s important to know these things before it’s too late. Here are some of the top reasons why you need aerial spraying in Texas and how you can fix the issue.
1. Prickly Pear
Prickly pears are another common pest faced by farmers and ranchers alike. Left unchecked, prickly pear colonies can double in size in under three years. In addition, prickly pear causes range land and hunting ground to become useless and impassible to wildlife and cattle. It is generally agreed that Surmount is the best chemical to use in combating their spread.
2. Mesquite
Widely considered the most common and easily spread “pest plant” in Texas, making its removal critical to any sort of crop protection, mesquite is another one of the top reasons why you need aerial spraying. There’s a reason why they call them the “devil” trees down here in Texas, since over 56 million acres in Texas are covered in them.
3. Huisache
Huisache, one of the common plants found on the range and known for their numerous thorns. It’s extremely tough and stops the production of plants and decreases wildlife. You can find these bushes all through the Texas Hill Country, especially in the dryer climates since they are known to withstand droughts. We recommend spraying a small, but potent concentration of Dow Herbicide to rid yourself of huisache and the seeds.
4. Protecting Your Range & Pasture
In order to grow top quality grass for livestock and wildlife you have to have a weed control program in the spring time. By spraying with helicopters we can cover thousands of acres in a short period of time at a very economical cost. We have experts to determine what chemicals will work best for your needs.
Aerial spraying or crop dusting can be expensive but taking the correct precautions and preparations, helicopter aerial spraying can be a safe and cost effective method of crop protection. Any aviator can tell you that aviation fuel is expensive so it is vital that the airstrip be as close as possible to the point of herbicide application. No point in wasting unnecessary gas getting to the field. Certain meteorological conditions need also be considered as wind speed and direction, humidity, precipitation and temperature can all affect the distribution and uptake of herbicides.
Speak to an expert you can trust. Our dedicated owner Ray Griffith has been doing this for a long time. Give us a call and we’ll help you protect your Texas crops!
We also recommend talking to:
Clay Wolter from Helena Chemical Company, South Texas Range & Pasture Specialist at (361) 816-5814 – WolterC@helenachemical.com
