By: Bastiaan M. Drees
Gardens, lawns or turfgrass areas, and ornamental planting beds occasionally require treatment with pesticides, which includes fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides. Use rates on product labels usually specify the quantity of the product or diluted product to use in an area such as per 1,000 square feet. The first step in using these products correctly is calculating the size of the area to be treated.
The area of a rectangle or square is equal to length times the width of the area (Fig. 1). However, the shape of most lawns is not a simple square or rectangle. In these cases, make a map of the home and property (Fig. 2) and divide the property into simple rectangle and square elements. To calculate the total area to be treated, calculate the size of the individual areas and add them together.
The table below may be useful in making these calculations.
In some cases, the landscape has an irregular pattern or contains non-treatable, irregularly shaped areas such as ponds, swimming pools, or other areas that are more circular. Calculate the area of a circle by measuring the radius of the circle (r) and using the formula: π x r^2, where π = 3.14159 (Fig. 3).
If the radius cannot be measured and the area is roughly circular, calculate the area by using the formula:
Area (acres) = circumference (feet)^2 ÷ 547,390
In situations with circular areas or a combination of somewhat circular and rectangular areas, use the area of these shapes to approximate the size of these areas (Fig. 4). If this surface is not to be treated, subtract the total (sum) of these areas from the rectangular area to be treated.
Acknowledgment
Lisa Lennon and Nathan Riggs reviewed this manuscript
References
Pond Measurements: ohio.one.osu.edu/a-fact/0002.html
Managing Red Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas: www.extension.org/pages/11004/managing- imported-fire-ants-in-urban-areas-printable- version
Broadcast Baits for Fire Ant Control: www.agrilifebookstore.org/product-p/e-628.htm
Fire Ant Control: The Two-Step Method and Other Approaches: www.agrilifebookstore.org/product-p/ento-034. htm
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