BigFoot Blue Spray Colourant

Description

Why use a spray colourant like BigFoot Blue?

Spray indicator dyes like BigFoot Blue Spray Colourant are ideal for increasing efficacy and efficiency when applying herbicides, pesticides, and other agricultural chemicals.

The most critical reason is improving chemical effectiveness by identifying clogged nozzles on a spray boom. If a nozzle is partially or completely clogged, it alters the amount and distribution of the product, leading to a reduction in output in most scenarios. Using a marker dye for herbicide application means you can quickly see areas that are unmarked or partially marked, thus raising the red flag that your sprayer is not operating correctly.

Studies have also found that colourants used as dye markers allow better targeting of pesticide sprays overall, and could even offer the potential to reduce environmental pollution and levels of synthetic pesticide use as a result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the mixing rate for BigFoot Blue Spray Colourant?

According to label directions, the boom spraying rate for BigFoot Blue is 100 to 150mL for every 100L of spray solution. For hand sprayers and knapsacks, the rate is 10 to 15mL per 10L, and for turf colour enhancement, it is 6 to 10mL per 100 square metres in a convenient volume of water.

Add your blue herbicide dye last to a full tank of water and agitate well before mixing with other products. 

Does BigFoot Blue Spray Colourant stain skin, clothes, or concrete?

BigFoot Blue is non-staining on skin and equipment and can be washed off with water. It is a concentrated blue dye, so rinse should splash off clothing promptly rather than drying in.

However, the product label warns it may discolour masonry, brick, and concrete. Avoid spraying these surfaces and wash any affected area with water before the product dries to ensure marking does not become permanent.

How long does the blue colour stay visible? Will it wash off in the rain?

BigFoot Blue is a temporary spray indicator, not a permanent or rainfast marker. It will likely dissipate from sprayed areas with exposure to sunlight or water. Neither the product label nor the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) offers a specific timeframe, so for best results, plan to work through your sprayed area while the markings are fresh.

Is BigFoot Blue Spray Colourant compatible with glyphosate and other herbicides? 

Yes, BigFoot Blue Spray Colourant is compatible with all water-based spray mixtures, including most herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and fertilisers. Glyphosate is a water-based herbicide, which renders BigFoot Blue compatible as a marker dye in such a tank mix.

While it is a colourant, not an adjuvant that alters herbicide performance, we still recommend completing a small jar test before adding BigFoot Blue to an unfamiliar mix. Always follow the mixing order instructions on your chosen herbicide’s label.

Is BigFoot Blue safe around pets and livestock once sprayed? 

The colourant itself is not classified as hazardous in its SDS, and the label carries no grazing withholding period. However, the critical point is that this dye is almost always tank-mixed with a herbicide or pesticide, and it is that product’s label that determines when animals can safely return to the treated area.

The SDS notes moderate toxicity to aquatic organisms, so endeavour to keep the concentrate and spray away from dams, creeks, and other waterways to avoid contamination.

Dyes vs foam markers: Which is right for boom spraying?

Foam markers and marker dyes like BigFoot Blue do two different jobs. Spray colourants tint the whole spray so you can see where the liquid has actually landed, which is excellent for confirming coverage and spotting skips within a run. 

Foam markers instead drop blobs of foam at the boom tips to mark the outer edge of a pass, giving you a reference line to match your next parallel run and avoid overlap.

For swath matching on a boom, foam markers (or GPS guidance with section control as an alternative) are the preferred tool, while a colourant is only complementary — it verifies the spray hits the target within the band you have driven. Many operators utilise both to increase efficiency when boom spraying.