Storage Limitation Statements: Temperature—Herbicides

Frederick M. Fishel


This guide provides information about how temperature affects storage of agricultural herbicides. A table is included that lists many common agricultural herbicides registered for use in Florida, with storage limitation statements.

Introduction

Storage temperature influences the effectiveness and usability of many pesticides. Most labels of liquid pesticides contain specific information on adequate storage temperatures for their products and will generally state a temperature in the 40°F–100°F range. Freezing is not a normal concern for pesticide storage in Florida, but extreme heat is a factor for the entire state.

Freezing temperatures can render a liquid-formulated pesticide useless by causing the active ingredients to separate from the solvents, emulsifiers, and other inert ingredients. The result may be either crystallization or coagulation of the formulation. Some products may be thawed and reused after adequate agitation; their labels will specifically state if this is the case. Because of the ingredients in the formulation, the freezing point of many products may be lower than 32°F.

Heat is the major concern in Florida for pesticide storage problems. Heat can cause some pesticides to volatilize and drift from their containers, especially if containers are not adequately sealed. Flammability is a problem with some pesticides in the presence of heat and/or open flame. For more on this topic, see EDIS publication PI-97 Pesticide Labeling: Physical or Chemical Hazards (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi134).

Containers may be damaged by either temperature extreme. Freezing temperatures can cause containers made of glass, metal, or plastic to break. Alternatively, high temperatures can cause plastic containers to melt and glass to explode. Liquid pesticide contents stored in metal drums can expand and eventually rupture (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Pesticide drum bulging from extreme heat.
Figure 1.  Pesticide drum bulging from extreme heat.

Generally, dry pesticide formulations are not adversely affected by temperature extremes. Their effectiveness is most often reduced by the presence of moisture in storage. These products have a high affinity for water and, once absorbed, may solidify into hard masses (tombstone formation). The packaging that surrounds dry products formulated as water-soluble packets can become brittle after taking on moisture; and if freezing occurs, they can break when handled.

To learn storage temperature limitations for individual products, consult the "Storage and Disposal" section of the pesticide label (Figure 2). Many products will have specific temperature limitations mentioned in this section; others may be more general. If you have questions regarding these limitations, consult the product's manufacturer.

Figure 2. The Storage and Disposal section of the label often contains specific temperature information.
Figure 2.  The Storage and Disposal section of the label often contains specific temperature information.

General information on storage and disposal language found on pesticide labels is discussed in EDIS publication PI-106 Pesticide Labeling: Storage and Disposal (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi143).

Table 1 lists many commonly used agricultural herbicides registered for Florida. They are listed alphabetically by active ingredient common names (center column) with their trade names and any storage limitation statements from the Storage and Disposal directions. Not every herbicide common active ingredient and/or their associated trade products list storage limitations on the storage statements.

Additional Information

Fishel, F.M. 2012. Pesticide Labeling: Physical or Chemical Hazards. PI-97. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi134

Fishel, F.M. 2012. Pesticide Labeling: Storage and Disposal. PI-106. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi143

Table 1. 

Commonly used agricultural herbicides regestered for Florida

Trade Name*

Common Name

Label Statements

Hardball®

Unison®

2,4-D

Do not store at temperatures below 0°F. If frozen, warm to 40°F and re-dissolve before using by rolling or shaking container.

Weedar®

Store at temperatures above 32°F. If allowed to freeze, warm to at least 40°F and remix before using. Freezing does not alter this product.

Weedone 650®

Do not store near heat or open flame.

2,4-DB 175®

2,4-DB 200®

Butoxone®

2,4-DB

Store at temperatures above 32°F. If product is allowed to freeze, warm to 50°F and agitate thoroughly before using.

Butyrac®

No storage limitations specified.

Ultra Blazer®

Acifluorfen

Do not store below 32°F.

Evik®

Ametryn

Store in a cool, dry place.

Method®

Aminocyclopyrachlor

Store in a cool, dry place.

Milestone®

Aminopyralid

If this product is exposed to subfreezing temperatures, the active ingredient may crystallize and settle out of solution. Under these conditions, the product should be warmed to at least 40°F and agitated well to dissolve any crystallized active ingredient prior to use.

Asulam 3.3®

Asulam Herbicide®

Asulox®

Asulam

Store at temperatures greater than 20°F.

AAtrex Nine-0®

Atrazine 90DF®

Atrazine

Store in a dry place.

Atrazine 4L®

Containers must be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.

Agri-Star®

Atrazine 4F®

Do not store near heat or open flame.

Atrazine 90WDG®

Store in a cool, dry place.

Balan DF®

Benefin

Do not store in direct sunlight. If stored above 120°F, Balan DF could lose some of its dispersing properties, resulting in difficult application, poor weed control, or crop injury.

Londax®

Bensulfuron-methyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Prefar®

Bensulide

Protect from temperatures below 42°F. At temperatures below 42°F, product may crystallize. Dissolve crystals with quiet storage at warm temperatures (75°F). Re-dissolution rate: 40°F–48°F (40–60 days); 60°F (1–3 weeks); 70°F–80°F (1–3 days). Roll container and agitate contents to provide a uniform product prior to use.

Basagran®

Bentazon

Do not store at temperatures less than 32°F and do not allow product to freeze.

Regiment®

Velocity®

Tradewind®

Bispyribac-sodium

Store in a cool, dry place.

Hyvar®

Bromacil

Store in a cool, dry place.

Buctril®

Moxy 2E®

Bromoxynil

Store at temperatures above 3°F. If allowed to freeze, remix before using.

Aim®

Quicksilver®

Carfentrazone-ethyl

Store in a cool, dry place and avoid excess heat.

FirstRate®

Cloransulam

No storage limitations specified.

Classic®

Chlorimuron-ethyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Corsair®

Telar®

Chlorsulfuron

No storage limitations specified.

Arrow®

Envoy®

Section®

Select®

Trigger®

Volunteer®

Clethodim

Store in a cool, dry place.

Command®

Clomazone

Store above -4°F to keep product from freezing. If frozen, thaw before use.

Lontrel®

Transline®

Clopyralid

Combustible. Do not store near heat or open flame. Store above 28°F or warm to 40°F and agitate before use.

Clincher®

Cyhalofop

Combustible. Do not store near heat or open flame. Store in a cool place.

Banvel®

Dicamba

Avoid cross-contamination with other pesticides.

Casoron®

Dichlobenil

Store in a dry location.

Hoelon®

Illoxan®

Diclofop-methyl

Do not use or store near heat or open flame. Do not store below 20°F.

Strongarm®

Diclosulam

No storage limitations specified.

Reglone®

Reward®

Weedtrine®

Diquat dibromide

Store at temperatures above 32°F.

Dimension EC®

Dithiopyr

Store this product above 32°F to avoid crystallization. If crystals form or product freezes, move the product to an area with ambient temperature above 32°F and shake well until crystals have dissolved.

Dimension Ultra 2SC® and 40WP®

Store this product above 32°F.

Diuron 4L®, 4L® IVM®, 80®, 80 DF IVM®

Diuron

Storage should be in a cool, dry area away from any heat or ignition source. Avoid storage at high temperatures.

Reglone®

Reward®

Diquat

Store at temperatures above 32°F.

Accelerate®

Aquathol Super K Granular®

Hydrothol®

Endothall

Do not store in a manner where cross-contamination with other pesticides, fertilizers, food, or feed could occur.

Aquathol K®

Do not store in a manner where cross-contamination with other pesticides, fertilizers, food or feed could occur. Storage at temperature below 32°F may result in the product freezing or crystallizing. If this occurs, the product must be warmed to 50°F or higher and thoroughly agitated.

Eptam 20-G®

EPTC

Store in a cool, dry place.

Eptam 7-E®, Eradicane 6.7-E®

Can be stored at temperatures as low as -50°F.

Curbit®

Sonalan HFP®

Ethalfluralin

Avoid freezing. Store above 40°F. If frozen, poor weed control may result. Do not use or store near heat or open flame.

Sonalan 10G®

Avoid freezing; store above 40°F.

Prograss®

Ethofumesate

Store in a cool place above 34°F.

Prograss SC®

Protect from freezing temperatures.

Acclaim Extra®

Fenoxaprop

Do not store above 100°F or below 10°F.

Katana®

Flazasulfuron

Store in a cool, dry place and avoid excess heat.

Fusilade®, Ornamec®

Fluazifop-P-butyl

No storage limitations specified.

Define®

Flufenacet

Store in a cool, dry place.

Resource®

Flumiclorac-pentyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Broadstar®

Chateau®

Payload®

Sureguard®

Valor®

Flumioxazin

Store in a cool, dry, secure place.

Cotoran®

Flo-Met®

Fluometuron

No storage limitations specified.

Fluometuron 4L®

Store in a dry location.

Sonar Genesis®

Fluridone

Keep from freezing.

Vista XRT®

Fluroxypyr

Store above 10°F or warm and agitate before use to ensure any crystallization that my have occurred redissolves.

Cadet®

Fluthiacet-methyl

Store in a cool, dry place and avoid excess heat. Do not store below 32°F.

Battle Star®, Flexstar®, Reflex®, Ringside®, Shafen®

Fomesafen

Store above 32°F. If product solidifies, return to room temperature and agitate to reconstitute.

Spotlight®

Vista®

Fluroxypyr 1-methylheptyl ester

Store above 10°F or warm and agitate before use.

Finale®

Glufosinate-ammonium

Do not use or store near heat or open flame.

Ignite®

Ignite 280 SL®

Rely®

Do not use or store near heat or open flame. Keep the container tightly closed and dry in a cool, well-ventilated place. Storage temperature should not exceed 125°F. If storage temperature for bulk herbicide is below 32°F, the material should not be pumped until its temperature exceeds 32°F. Protect against direct sunlight.

Extra Credit 5®

Glyphosate

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to redissolve and shake or roll to mix well before using.

Recoil®

Do not store near heat or open flame.

Credit Duo Extra®

Glyphosate, ammonium salt

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to redissolve and shake or roll to mix well before using.

Accord Concentrate®

Glypro®

Rodeo®

Glyphosate, isopropylamine salt

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to redissolve and roll or shake container or recirculate in mini-bulk containers to mix well before using.

Aqua Star®

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If crystals form, allow product to warm above 50°F and mix well or recirculate to redissolve.

AquaMaster®

Store above 5°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to redissolve and roll or shake container or recirculate in mini-bulk containers to mix well before using.

Cornerstone®

Cornerstone Plus®

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to redissolve and shake or roll to mix well before using.

Glyfos Aquatic®

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to allow crystals to redissolve, then shake well before using.

Rascal®

Rascal Plus®

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to redissolve and roll or shake container or recirculate in mini-bulk or bulk container to mix well before using.

Razor®

Razor Pro®

Store above 10°F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room at 68°F for several days to redissolve and shake, roll, or agitate to mix well before using.

Sandea®

Sedgehammer®

Halosulfuron

Store under cool, dry conditions (below 120°F). Do not store under moist conditions.

Velpar®

Hexazinone

Store in a cool, dry place.

Raptor®

Imazamox

Keep from freezing. Do not store below 32°F.

Cadre®

Plateau®

Imazapic

Keep from freezing. Do not store below 20°F.

Cadre DF®

Store product in a cool, dry place. Do not store this product under wet conditions.

Arsenal®

Chopper®

Habitat®

Polaris®

Stalker®

Imazapyr

Do not store below 10oF.

Scepter®

Imazaquin

Keep from freezing. Do not store below 32°F.

Pursuit®

Imazethapyr

Keep from freezing. Do not store below 32°F.

Celero®, League®

Imazosulfuron

Store in a cool, dry secure place.

Alion®, Esplanade®

Indaziflam

Protect the product from freezing temperatures. Store the product at temperatures above 32°F and preferably above 40°F (Alion®).

Protect from freezing temperatures (Esplanade®).

Gallery®

Isoxaben

Do not store in direct sunlight. Do not store at temperatures above 120°F.

Cobra®

Phoenix®

Lactofen

Store in a cool, dry place.

Linex®

Lorox®

Linuron

Store in a cool, dry place.

Tenkoz MCPA Amine 4®

MCPA

Store in a dry location. Do not store below 40°F or expose to subfreezing temperatures.

Tenkoz MCPA Ester 4®

Store in a dry location.

Callisto®

Mesotrione

Can be stored at temperatures as low as -20°F. Keep away from heat and flame.

Me-Too-Lachlor®

Metolachlor

No storage limitations specified.

Parallel®

Parrlay®

Stalwart®

This product may be stored at temperatures down to -30°F.

Sencor 4F®

Sencor 75®

Sencor DF®

Metribuzin

Store in a cool, dry place.

Ally XP®

Escort XP®

Metsulfuron 60EG AG®

Metsulfuron 60EG IVM®

Purestand®

Metsulfuron-methyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Drexel MSMA-6 Plus®

Prokoz Turf Max MSMA 6+®

Prokoz Turf Max MSMA 6.6®

Monosodium acid methanearsonate (MSMA)

Storage should be in a cool, dry area away from any heat or ignition source. High heat may form volatile arsenic compounds.

Devrinol 10-G®

Devrinol 2-G Ornamental®

Devrinol 50-DF®

Devrinol 50-DF Ornamental®

Napropamide

Store in a cool, dry place.

Devrinol 2-EC®

Store in a cool, dry place. Do not store below 20°F.

Alanap®

Naptalam

Normal storage temperature should be between 60°F and 80°F. This product should not be stored below 60°F, or it may crystallize or precipitate. The crystallized product may be redissolved by gently warming to 95°F. ALWAYS ROLL, SHAKE, OR STIR PRODUCT WELL BEFORE USE.

Accent®

Nicosulfuron

Store in a cool, dry place.

Solicam®

Norflurazon

No storage limitations specified.

Oryzalin®

Surflan®

Oryzalin

No storage limitations specified.

Ronstar®

Oxadiazon

No storage limitations specified.

Galigan 2E®

Goal 2XL®

GoalTender®

OxiFlo 2EC®

Oxyfluorfen

Keep from freezing. Store above 32°F.

Firestorm®

Gramoxone Inteon®

Gramoxone Super Tres®

Paraquat dichloride

Store at temperatures above 32°F.

Acumen®

Helena Pendimethalin®

Pendant®

Pendimax®

Pendulum 3.3®

Prowl 3.3 EC®

Stealth®

Pendimethalin

Do not store below 40°F. Extended storage at temperatures below 40°F can result in the formation of crystals on the bottom of the container. If crystallization does occur, store the container on its side at room temperature (70°F) and rock occasionally until crystals redissolve.

Pendulum AquaCap®

Do not store below 15°F. Extended storage at temperatures below 15°F can result in the formation of crystals on the bottom of the container. If crystallization does occur, store the container on its side at room temperature (70°F) and rock occasionally until crystals redissolve.

Pendulum 2G®

Pendulum WDG®

Do not store above 120°F. Store in a cool, dry place.

Prowl H2

Prowl H2O herbicide freezes around 15°F and is stable under conditions of freezing and thawing. Product that has been frozen should be thawed and recirculated prior to use.

Galleon®, Grasp®, Sapphire®

Penoxsulam

Store in a cool, dry place.

Spin-Aid®

Phenmedipham

Store in a cool, dry place. Do not use or store near heat or open flame.

Barricade®

Endurance®

Quali-Pro Prodiamine®

Prodiamine

No storage limitations specified.

Pramitol 25E®

Pramitol 4SC®

Sonora 4SC®

Prometon

Store at temperatures above 32°F.

Caparol 4L®

Prometryne 4L® (Agrilliance)

Prometryn

Store in a dry place.

Prometryne 4L® (UAP-Loveland)

Store in a cool, dry place.

Kerb®

Pronamide

Store in a cool, dry place but not below 32°F.

Stam 4E®

Stam 4SC®

Stam M4®

Propanil

Ground all metal containers when transferring product. Protect from freezing. If stored below 32°F and crystals form, warm to 72°F for 24 hours, periodically shaking or rolling container to reconstitute.

Stam 80 EDF®

Do not use, pour, spill, or store near heat or open flame.

Super Wham!®

Store at temperatures above 32°F. If product is allowed to freeze, warm to 50°F and agitate before using.

Edict®

ET®

Pyraflufen

Store in a cool place.

Staple LX®

Pyrithiobac

Store in a cool, dry place.

Drive®

Quinclorac

Do not store box under dampness or high humidity.

Gowan Targa®

Quizalofop-p-ethyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Matrix®

Rimsulfuron

Store in a cool, dry place.

Detail®, Sharpen®, Treevix®

Saflufenacil

Do not store near heat or open flame (Detail®, Sharpen®).

Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. DO NOT store this product under wet conditions (Treevix®).

Poast®

Poast Plus®

Sethoxydim G-Pro®

Sethoxydim

Do not store below 32°F or above 100°F. Store in a dry place away from heat or open flame.

Rezult G®

Do not allow this product to freeze.

Tupersan®

Siduron

No storage limitations specified.

Sentry Simazine 90 DF®

Agrisolutions Simazine 4L®

Princep Caliber 90®

Sim-Trol 90DF®

Simazine

Store in a dry place.

Drexel Simazine 4L®

Drexel Simazine 90DF®

Store in a cool, dry area away from any heat or ignition source.

Clean Crop Simazine 4L®

Clean Crop Simazine 90 WDG®

Agrisolutions Simazine 90 DF®

Sim-Trol 4L®

Store in a cool, dry place.

Dual Magnum®

Dual II Magnum®

S-metolachlor

Product may be stored at temperatures down to -30°F.

Dual II G Magnum®

Store in a dry place.

Ultra Blazer®

Sodium salt of acifluorfen

Do not store below 32°F.

Basagran®

Sodium salt of bentazon

Do not store at less than 32°F and do not allow product to freeze.

Basagran T/O®

Rezult B®

Do not allow product to freeze.

Dismiss Turf®, Spartan®

Sulfentrazone

Store in a cool, dry place, and avoid excess heat.

Oust XP®

Sulfometuron-methyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Outrider®

Sulfosulfuron

Store under cool, dry conditions (below 120°F). Do not store under moist conditions.

Sprakil®

Tebuthiuron

No storage limitations specified.

Laudis®

Tembotrione

No storage limitations specified.

Sinbar®

Terbacil

Store in a cool, dry place.

Mandate®

Thiazopyr

Store this product under dry conditions (between 14°F and 104°F). If crystals develop, place in a warm area (40°F) until crystals redissolve.

Harmony GT XP®

Thifensulfuron-methyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Bolero®

Thiobencarb

Store in cool, dry place. Protect from excessive heat.

Armezon®, Frequency®, Impact®

Topramezone

Store product in a cool, dry place. DO NOT store under wet conditions (Armezon®, Frequency®, Impact®).

If this product has been stored where freezing temperatures have occurred, agitate or mix contents of container well before use.

Express XP®

Tribenuron-methyl

Store in a cool, dry place.

Forestry Garlon®

Garlon 3A®

Tahoe®

Turflon II®

Triclopyr

Store above 28°F or agitate before use.

Grandstand®

Store above 28°F or agitate before use. Do not store near heat or open flame.

Monument®

Trifloxysulfuron-sodium

Store in a cool, dry place.

Treflan TR-10®

Trifluralin 10G®

Trust 10G®

Trifluralin

This product may be stored in unheated warehouses.

Treflan 4EC®

Treflan 4L®

Treflan HFP®

Trifluralin 4EC® (several manufacturers)

Trifluralin HF®

Cornbelt Trifluralin®

Royster Clark Trifluralin HFP4®

Trilin®

Trust Herbicide®

Avoid freezing. Store above 40°F. If frozen, poor weed control may result. Do not store near heat or flame.

*Does not include prepackaged herbicide mixtures.