Sprayers are useful tools for maintaining your lawn and garden all year. There are different kinds of sprayers, but if you’re not familiar with sprayers, choosing the right one might be confusing.
The type of job and size of the job will determine the kind of sprayer you need. Price is important, but you should not overlook safety. Here is a brief overview of the different types of sprayers:
Hose-end
A hose-end sprayer is an inexpensive option for the homeowner. The hose-end sprayer attaches to your hose and requires no pumping. Most hose-end sprayers come with an adjustment setting that automatically dilutes chemicals. An anti-siphon device prevents chemicals from being pulled into your water supply.
Uses: Hose-end sprayers are used to apply herbicides, fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides to your lawn.
One Hand
One-hand sprayers are versatile and lightweight. Once you add the correct ratio of chemical and water, you must pump the sprayer to pressurize it. One-hand sprayers also come with an adjustable plastic nozzle that a user can adjust to fit the needs of their job.
Uses: One-hand sprayers are ideal for equine or livestock application and household fertilizer, cleaning, or general spraying.
Handheld
Handheld or tank sprayers come with a large tank and pump handle. You must fill the tank with the correct ratio of chemicals and water into the tank and pump the handle to pressurize the sprayer.
Uses: Handheld sprayers are great for spraying herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides. They are also ideal for wood deck cleaners, as well as algae and mildew removers.
Backpack
Backpack sprayers are a good option for harder to reach areas, such as the roof or eaves of a home and larger areas. You also have the option to choose backpack sprayers by pump type—piston or diaphragm.
Piston pumps can handle liquid disinfectants, herbicides, and pesticides. Diaphragm pumps are better when using wettable powders, bleach, and well water, stream or lake water, or any water with small particles of grit. You should consider the type of chemical you plan to use, and pick a backpack sprayer based on the pump. Avoid using piston and diaphragm pumps interchangeably.
Uses: Backpack sprayers can do all the same lawn and garden jobs as handheld sprayers but on a larger scale and with much less effort.
Choosing a sprayer doesn’t have to be complicated. Consider the job you need to complete when shopping for a sprayer. As we mentioned earlier, price is important but not the only consideration. You don’t want to end up with a sprayer that doesn’t fit your needs. If you’re still not sure which sprayer to choose, please contact Solo at 757-245-4228.