When installing plastic sheeting for moisture control, what percentage of soil should be covered?

Covering 70% of the soil with plastic sheeting for moisture control is considered best practice in various pest management strategies. The purpose of covering the soil is to reduce moisture evaporation and to prevent pests from accessing the soil environment where they might thrive.

When at least 70% of the soil is covered, it creates a significant barrier that effectively helps to manage humidity levels, which can deter the proliferation of mold, mildew, and certain pests that thrive in moist environments. While greater coverage, such as 80%, may offer even more benefits, 70% is often deemed a practical minimum that achieves effective moisture control without excessive material usage or cost.

The other percentages—50%, 60%, and 80%—may either fall short of optimal effectiveness or exceed what is typically necessary for practical applications. Thus, 70% is recognized as a balanced and effective coverage level for accomplishing the goals of moisture control in pest management scenarios.