MDARD Aquatic Pest Management (Category 5) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Aquatic Pest Management Practice Questions and Study Guide

The type of nozzle that is best suited for handgun spraying of surface applications is one that delivers a high flow rate, in a straight stream, with a large droplet size. This configuration is effective because it allows the spray to cover a larger area with greater efficiency, ensuring that the pesticide or aquatic treatment is applied uniformly over the surface.

A high flow rate is crucial for delivering adequate material quickly, especially in situations where larger areas need to be treated. The straight stream helps in targeting specific applications without excessive drift, which can degrade efficacy and lead to unintended impacts on non-target areas. Additionally, large droplet size minimizes evaporation and allows the product to penetrate better into the area being treated, enhancing its overall effectiveness.

In contrast, other nozzle types such as those producing a low flow rate or fine mist may not provide sufficient coverage or could lead to significant drift, affecting the precision of application. Nozzles delivering high pressure with a narrow stream can also be less appropriate as they may lead to excessive droplet reduction, potentially causing drift and reducing the efficiency of the material being applied.