Pesticides are an essential tool in protecting plants from harmful pests, diseases and weeds. It’s crucial that those involved in the production, distribution and application of pesticides understand the importance of adhering to regulatory standards. In this article, I’ll explain why compliance isn’t just a legal requirement, but a key part to ensuring safety, environmental protection and the long-term success of your business and the industry.

Accident prevention
Pesticides, if misused or improperly applied, can pose significant risks to our environment, waterways, wildlife, workers and even consumers. From my 35 years’ experience, I can tell you that the most common questions I’ve been asked by consumers are whether a recommended product is “safe” and whether a beloved furry friend who encountered a pesticide after application is in trouble.

Regulatory bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S., set strict guidelines for pesticide usage to protect people from harmful exposure. These guidelines are designed based on scientific research, ensuring that products are used in a way that minimizes risk. We all know implementing safety protocols is imperative but will never ensure an accident won’t happen. Learning and understanding protocols already implemented by our government agencies is a crucial step to take for your business. These are minimal requirements.
Pesticides often are chemicals that can affect the environment if not managed properly. Runoff, drift and improper disposal can lead to contamination of water sources and harm to nontarget organisms, such as bees or birds, and even soil degradation. Regulatory compliance helps ensure that pesticides are used in ways that minimize these environmental risks. Education ensures you and your team understand the application methods and variables that can impact successful and safe treatments.

Legal and financial
Failure to comply with regulations, on the other hand, can lead to public backlash or legal action, both of which damage reputations and brand loyalty. In an age of transparency, it’s essential that companies demonstrate their commitment to safety and quality through compliance.

Noncompliance with pesticide regulations can lead to serious legal and financial consequences. Regulatory authorities have the power to impose fines, revoke licenses or even take legal action against companies or individuals who fail to follow the law.

For example, in cases when improper pesticide use leads to health issues, environmental damage or contamination of food supplies, the financial repercussions can be devastating. Not only do companies face potential legal fees, but the costs of addressing the damage, including clean-up efforts or compensation for affected individuals, can far exceed the investment in regulatory compliance.

Staying compliant with regulatory standards is, therefore, an essential aspect of risk management. It’s far less expensive – and much more responsible – to ensure that your practices align with regulations from the outset than to deal with the fallout of noncompliance.

Worst-case scenario
The following scenario actually occurred, or close to it, but the names have been changed to protect the guilty.
Jake Spray, a pesticide applicator for a large operation, was in a rush to treat a property that had been heavily infested by scale insects. Due to tight deadlines, he skipped some important regulatory steps. First, he didn’t verify if the pesticide he planned to use was registered for the species to be treated. He also ignored the recommendation to apply the pesticide at a specific temperature range to minimize volatilization, applying it during a hot afternoon when conditions favored evaporation into the air.

With the wind picking up, Jake proceeded anyway. He didn’t account for the possibility of pesticide drift, which spread to neighboring properties, affecting neighboring trees. The pesticide also ended up contaminating a nearby waterway, affecting aquatic life. When applying, Jake forgot to wear his personal protective equipment (PPE), cutting corners to finish faster. He also neglected to document the application, meaning there was no record of the pesticide used, the weather conditions or the amount applied.

As the days passed, complaints started to come in from neighboring homeowners and the client, and environmental agencies began investigating the pesticide runoff. An inspection revealed the unauthorized pesticide use and improper application methods. The investigation found that Jake had violated multiple regulatory requirements and the business was slapped with hefty fines, a possible suspension of pesticide use and a damaged reputation. Additionally, the trees around the ones that had been sprayed were damaged by the drift, leading to poor results and phytotoxicity. Jake’s shortcuts led not only to regulatory violations but also significant financial and environmental consequences.

Training and education
Education plays a key role in this process. It’s not just about knowing the rules, it’s about staying up to date with the latest research and best practices. Industry professionals, including tree care and landscape applicators, as well as product and equipment manufacturers, should engage in continuous learning to ensure they’re using the most efficient and compliant practices.

Best-case scenario
This is another real-life example.

During a warm spring day, Maria, a commercial, certified pesticide applicator, arrived at a local property where the trees were showing signs of pest damage. Maria had meticulously reviewed her company’s pest-management plan and consulted the pesticide application guidelines. She had made sure that the pesticide she planned to apply was allowed for use.

Maria checked the weather forecast, ensuring there were no impending rain showers that could lead to runoff. She made sure the wind was calm, preventing drift to non-target areas. With proper safety gear, Maria calibrated the sprayer to apply the correct dosage and avoided applying pesticide on sensitive sites nearby.

Maria filled out the required pesticide application record, including the time, date, product used and the weather conditions. Additionally, she ensured that the property was posted after the application with visible signage to notify anyone about the pesticide application. She even provided the homeowner with a copy of the application report.

Several weeks later, the homeowner reported a significant decrease in pest populations and an increase in tree health. The homeowner was thrilled. Maria’s efforts in ensuring compliance had not only helped the homeowner but had also ensured that the application was environmentally safe and regulatory compliant.

Conclusion
The key to successful pesticide use is not just knowledge, but a commitment to responsible practices. Stay compliant, stay safe and keep an eye open for regular updates and educational opportunities to ensure you build the best PHC business possible.

Next up …
In part 2 of this series, we’ll look at license types and understanding the type of license you need, training requirements for registered technicians, business-insurance requirements for PHC, business requirements to start a PHC business and how to use the best resources, such as extension offices and local agriculture departments.

Kathy Glassey is a senior consultant with Inspire Green Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company committed to helping tree companies around the country.