When is spot treatment appropriate in an ornamental landscape?

• A. Only a few plants are infested; ensure the label allows spot treatment and avoid treating non-target plants or creating drift.
• B. Spot treatment should be applied to all plants in a bed regardless of infestation.
• C. Spot treatment is never allowed in ornamental landscapes.
• D. Spot treatment should be applied only after rain.

Answer: (A)

Spot treatment is appropriate when only a few plants are infested and the label permits targeting just those plants. This approach concentrates the pesticide where pests are present, protecting healthy ornamentals, reducing drift, and minimizing environmental impact. To do this effectively, use a directed spray technique, shield the treated plants, and strictly follow label rates and restrictions for spot applications. If the infestation is widespread, spot treatment won’t control the problem and treating the entire bed may be necessary while still following label directions.

Choosing to treat all plants regardless of infestation wastes product and can injure non‑infested plants, so it isn’t appropriate. The idea that spot treatment is never allowed is incorrect because many labels allow selective applications when pests are localized. The idea of applying only after rain isn’t a general rule for spot treatment; labels usually require dry foliage and compliance with rainfast or drying requirements, so you would not rely on rain as a timing cue.