Bush Clearing & Encroachment
Targeted herbicide application directly onto encroaching bush species across game reserves, grazing land, and marginal areas. Reduces regrowth and restores open habitat without heavy machinery.
Core Service Aerial Drone Spraying
Specialist aerial herbicide application for bush clearing, encroachment, and fire breaks
Look Up Pro operates DJI Agras spraying drones for targeted herbicide application across game reserves, agricultural land, and remote terrain. Licensed aerial applicator. SACAA compliant. Seasonal repeat work from September through April.
- Licensed Aerial Applicator
- DJI Agras drone range
- SACAA Compliant
- Season: Sep-Apr
Licensed Aerial Applicator
Legal herbicide and pesticide aerial application required by law for commercial spraying operations
Sep-Apr Active Season
Prime spraying window aligned to vegetation growth cycles repeat clients book early each season
Difficult Terrain Capability
Operates in areas inaccessible to ground equipment steep slopes, dense bush, rocky outcrops
Applications
What we spray for
Aerial drone spraying is most effective where terrain, density, or scale makes ground-based application inefficient or impractical.
Fire Break Applications
Herbicide strips applied aerially to establish or maintain fire breaks across large areas of bush or grassland. Faster, more consistent, and safer than manual clearing teams in fire-prone areas.
Fence Line & Right-of-Way Clearing
Precise aerial application along fence lines, road verges, pipeline corridors, and powerline rights-of-way areas where ground equipment damages infrastructure or access is restricted.
Row Crop & Orchard Spraying
Fungicide, insecticide, and pesticide application on row crops and orchards where precision application and minimal soil compaction are critical to yield and crop health.
Fertiliser Application
Targeted aerial fertiliser application for remote or waterlogged areas, steep slopes, or high-value pasture and grassland where tractor access is limited or soil damage is a risk.
Alien & Invasive Species Control
Species-specific herbicide application onto invasive alien plant infestations lantana, bugweed, port jackson, black wattle prioritising targeted treatment that limits herbicide drift and off-target impact.
Problems Solved
Why clients switch to aerial spraying
Manual and ground-based spraying works well in accessible flat terrain. Most clients call us when the terrain, scale, or efficiency requirements go beyond what ground equipment can solve.
Without aerial spraying
Ground equipment cannot reach steep slopes, dense bush, or rocky terrain large areas go untreated
3 days of drone application compared to weeks with multiple ground crews
High labour costs and risk to ground teams working in dense or dangerous bush
Inconsistent application rates lead to herbicide waste, missed areas, and return treatments
Missing the seasonal window manual teams often cannot cover the area before the vegetation cycle turns
Soil compaction and vegetation damage from heavy ground equipment causes secondary damage
With Look Up Pro aerial spraying
Reaches steep slopes, rocky outcrops, dense bush, and waterlogged terrain without ground access
Covers large areas efficiently significantly faster cycle times than ground-based crews
Minimal personnel on the ground safer operations in difficult environments
Precise, consistent application rates less herbicide wasted, better coverage per hectare
Seasonal work scoped and booked ahead of the window we plan around your vegetation cycle
No soil compaction, no vegetation damage from vehicles, no secondary site impact
Comparison
Drone spraying vs manual application
| Factor | Manual / Ground Application | Look Up Pro Aerial Drone |
|---|---|---|
| Terrain access | Limited to accessible flat or gentle slopes | Steep, rocky, waterlogged, dense no restriction |
| Application speed | Slow labour-dependent coverage rate | High coverage rate per flight hour |
| Herbicide precision | Inconsistent application across target area | Controlled nozzle spray with consistent rate |
| Labour requirement | Large ground crew high cost and coordination | Minimal on-site crew operator plus spotter |
| Soil impact | Compaction and vegetation damage from vehicles | Zero soil impact no ground contact |
| Night operations | Not practical for ground crews | DJI Agras supports low-light operation capability |
| Legal compliance | Varies applicator licensing requirements apply | Licensed aerial applicator, SACAA compliant, UASOC |
Equipment
DJI Agras drone range purpose-built for field work
We operate DJI's Agras agricultural drone range. These are not modified consumer drones; they are specialist spraying aircraft built for high-volume, high-accuracy field operations.
Spraying Platform
DJI Agras drone range
Heavy-lift agricultural spraying platform configured for herbicide and pesticide aerial application
Heavy-lift liquid payload capacity for high-volume field application
Terrain-following radar for uneven ground and variable canopy height
Stable agricultural airframe designed for demanding field conditions
Efficient coverage rates for broadacre and bush-clearing projects
Atomised spray delivery for consistent droplet size
Field Setup
Operational spray configuration
Configured for repeatable mission planning, controlled application rates, and efficient field turnaround
Obstacle sensing for dense vegetation and reserve work
Ground station mission planning for repeatable flight paths
RTK-ready positioning for high-precision grid spraying
Field refilling workflow for large continuous applications
Maintained to DJI service schedules and operated under UASOC
Why the equipment matters
The DJI Agras platform is built specifically for agricultural aerial application. Key operational advantages relevant to South African field conditions:
- Terrain-following radar maintains consistent altitude over uneven ground critical for accurate application rates on slopes and rocky bush
- Obstacle avoidance reduces the risk of damage in dense vegetation important for reserve and bush clearing work
- Dual tank configuration allows for field refilling without returning to a base important for large continuous applications
- RTK positioning integration available for high-precision grid spraying applications
- Ground station mission planning enables automated flight path execution consistent, repeatable coverage
The Agras aircraft are maintained to DJI service schedules and operated by SACAA-licensed pilots under Look Up Pro's UASOC.
Seasonal Planning
The spraying season runs September through April
Most herbicide applications are most effective during active vegetation growth. In South Africa this aligns with the summer rainfall season. Repeat clients book their annual slot early capacity fills up.
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Who We Work With
Who calls us
Game Reserve Managers
Seasonal encroachment clearing, fire break management, and alien species control across reserve boundaries and interior bush. Often referred via herbicide distributors.
Head Ecologists
Species-specific treatment plans for alien invasive management, habitat restoration, and vegetation monitoring support on conservation land.
Land & Farm Managers
Fence line clearing, grazing land encroachment control, and crop protection applications where ground equipment is impractical or too slow.
Fire Break Contractors
Large-area herbicide strips for fire break establishment and maintenance. Drone application is faster and more consistent than manual teams over difficult terrain.
Infrastructure Operators
Right-of-way clearance for powerlines, pipelines, and road corridors. Aerial application avoids vehicle access problems and reduces crew exposure.
Rehabilitation Teams
Post-mining and construction rehabilitation support alien species removal and vegetation management as part of site restoration programmes.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
This is flexible and depends on the project. Look Up Pro works directly with registered herbicide distributors and can procure the correct herbicide for the target species and application. Alternatively, if your land manager or ecologist has a preferred product and supplier, we work with that too. The key requirement is that any chemical used must be a registered product appropriate for the application type. We can advise on suitable products during the scoping process.
Pricing is scoped per project based on hectares to be treated, travel distance to site, terrain complexity, number of flight days required, and herbicide volume. We do not publish standard rates because the variation between a flat 50 ha grassland and a steep 50 ha reserve with dense encroachment is significant. Submit a quote request with your site location, estimated area, and target vegetation we will scope the right approach and provide a project-specific quote.
The DJI Agras spraying platform is designed for field conditions and is more stable in wind than lighter consumer drones. However, herbicide application standards require spraying below a safe wind speed threshold typically below 15 km/h at application height to prevent drift onto non-target areas. Rain prior to or during application can also reduce herbicide uptake. We monitor conditions carefully and schedule around weather windows. For projects with tight seasonal timelines, we plan multiple visit days to cover weather contingencies.
Minimal site preparation is required for most projects. We need a safe water access point for herbicide mixing and drone refilling, a cleared take-off and landing area large enough for the Agras aircraft, and confirmation of any exclusion zones (buildings, water bodies, livestock, sensitive vegetation). For large or complex sites we may conduct a pre-flight site assessment to map the treatment area and plan flight routes. This is included in the project scoping process.
We hold and can provide copies of our aerial applicator licence, UASOC (the current term for what was previously called a ROC), SACAA registration, and BVLOS pilot licences. These are the four key documents any land manager, reserve, or project manager should request before allowing aerial chemical application on their property. Contact us at niel@lookuppro.co.za or 082 894 3446 for a compliance document pack for your contractor vetting process.
Request a Quote
Ready to scope your spraying project
Tell us your site location, estimated area, target vegetation, and preferred season window. We will assess the scope and get back to you with a project-specific quote.