Flowable formulations are used with pesticides that can be produced only in solid or semi-solid form. They are often ground into a fine powder and suspended into a liquid. Soluble powders are dry formulations of pesticides that dissolve in water. Few pesticides are water soluble. They may also be formulated as liquids.
Dusts are pesticides formulated on particles designed for dry application.
Dust formulations have lost popularity because of equipment difficulties, excessive drift, hazards to honeybees, and applicator inhalation hazard. Granules are pesticides formulated on large particles of various materials. They are generally less hazardous than liquids and dusts, and have few drift problems. Microencapsulated pesticides are impregnated into tiny, slow release plastic beads and mixed into a liquid. This formulation reduces dermal toxicity and increase residual efficacy.