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Questions & Answers Regarding
HOUSEHOLD PEST CONTROL
Q. WHAT ARE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD PESTS?
A. Household pests are pests other than
wood-destroying pests (termites,
powderpost beetles, etc.) or organisms
(fungus) which invade households and
other structures. Common household pests
are rodents, ants, bees, fleas, cockroaches,
spiders, weevils, and moths.
Q. DOES A COMPANY NEED A LICENSE TO PERFORM HOUSEHOLD PEST
CONTROL, AND, IF SO, DO THE EMPLOYEES HAVE TO BE LICENSED?
A. A company performing live capture and
removal of vertebrate pests, bees, or wasps
from a structure without the use of pesticides
is not required to be registered with
the Structural Pest Control Board. Vertebrate
pests include, but are not limited to,
bats, raccoons, skunks, and squirrels, but
DO NOT include mice, rats, or pigeons.
Any company that exterminates mice, rats,
pigeons, spiders, ants, roaches and other
household pests is required to be registered
with the Board. The person who
negotiates the contract with you and
inspects the property to identify the pest to
be controlled must be licensed. After this
has been done, the company can authorize
an unlicensed person to submit bids
and/or sign the contract.
An individual who applies the pesticide
must be licensed. Ask to see proof of
licensure. A licensee should carry an
identification card issued by this Board
which states that they are licensed as a
registered applicator, field representative,
or operator. This card shows the expiration
date of the license and the type of
license held.
If you want further verification of the
company’s registration or any employee’s
license, you may contact the Board.
Q. HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT PESTICIDES ARE TO BE USED ON MY
PROPERTY?
A. Prior to the initial service in which a
structural pest control company applies a
pesticide for control of general household
pests at a structure, it must inform the
owner/owner’s agent and tenant(s) in
writing of the pesticide(s) proposed to be
used and the active ingredient(s). This
pesticide notification must be delivered
before the pesticide is applied. It may be a
door hanger, invoice, billing statement, or
any written document that contains the
company’s name, address, and telephone
number.
Q. CAN ANY INTERESTED PERSON FIND OUT WHAT PESTICIDE WAS APPLIED
AT A PARTICULAR STRUCTURE?
A. Yes. If a structural pest control company
applies a pesticide at a particular structure,
it must provide the common,
generic, or chemical name of each pesticide
used to any person who asks. This
information must be given within 24
hours of the request.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING A PESTICIDE APPLICATION?
A. If, within 24 hours following application,
you experience flu-like symptoms, you
should contact your physician or a poison
control center and your structural pest
control company immediately.
Your structural pest control company can
help you with any questions regarding the
application procedure or with any problems
you may have. Questions about
health issues should be directed to the
County Health Department. The County
Agricultural Commissioner can supply
you with data on pesticide and chemical
application. For information on company
registration or regulations, or to report
problems, contact the Board. If there is
still physical evidence (such as an odor)
in the structure, notify the County Agricultural
Commissioner and the Board.
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