Category 10A - General Pest

Laws and Regulations for Commercial Applicators

  • Federal laws regulate pesticides, including the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for registration, sale, distribution, and use (administered by U.S. EPA, enforced by ODA in Ohio for state laws/registration); the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) for recordkeeping/hazardous substance handling, though not on the pesticide exam; and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), requiring EPA to consider endangered species in pesticide registration (applicators review specific bulletins for compliance).

  • Ohio pesticide laws (ORC and OAC) grant the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) authority to license, train, certify, recertify, and enforce rules for private and commercial applicators.

  • Commercial Applicator: Applies pesticides for hire, governmental agencies, or publicly accessible sites (e.g., food service, hospitals, schools, rental properties with >4 units).

  • Category 10a—General Pest Control: Covers pesticide application inside and outside human dwellings and similar buildings for pests of structures, occupants, furnishings, or contents (e.g., fleas, ticks, carpenter ants, rodents, cockroaches). Excludes pest birds, termites, fungi, or public health mosquito control.

  • Recordkeeping: Ohio law requires licensed commercial applicators to keep records of all pesticide applications for three years, including location, date, time, total volume/concentration, responsible applicator's name, pests controlled, and methods.

  • Pesticide Business License: Required for those performing pesticide business activities for hire, including specific insurance requirements and for Wood-Destroying Insect (WDI) inspections.

  • Obtaining/Recertifying License: Requires passing Core and Category 10a exams, annual fee renewal, and recertification every three years via exams or educational credits (minimum one hour Core, one half hour per category, total five hours).

  • Applicator Responsibilities: Follow federal/state laws, adhere to pesticide labels ("THE LABEL IS THE LAW!"), use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and protect people and the environment from contamination.

Pest Management Concepts and Approaches

  • Pest Definition: ODA defines a pest as a harmful or nuisance organism (insect, fungus, rodent, etc.) unwanted in or around homes/buildings in Category 10a contexts.

  • Pest Population Terms: An infestation is a pest population requiring space, food, and water. A community is several species interacting in an area, while an ecosystem includes the community and its supporting physical/biological factors. Applicators must consider the ecosystem to manage pests by identifying and eliminating conducive situations (e.g., clutter, food, water sources).

  • Pest Management Methods: Modern approach focuses on managing pests to tolerable levels rather than total elimination. The general pattern includes: 1) Inspection to locate pests and conducive issues; 2) Habitat Alteration to reduce pest survival; 3) Pesticide Application for rapid reduction; and 4) Follow-up to assess efficacy and document results.

  • Pest Management Approaches:

    • Regularly Scheduled Management: Routine inspections/treatments, often preventive, effective for constant pest problems.

    • Corrective or Curative Pest Management: Responds to specific calls for active infestations, focusing on rapid suppression and client recommendations for prevention.

    • Pest Elimination Approach: Intensive, documented inspections, client interaction, environmental modifications, and highly considered pesticide uses, aiming for very low pest levels.

  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): ODA defines IPM as a sustainable approach combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to minimize risks. ODA's standard (OAC Rule 901:5-11-14) requires: 1) comprehensive site assessment; 2) developing a plan with the customer; 3) scheduling monitoring; and 4) evaluating results. Key components involve detection/identification, understanding pest needs, identifying control options, and selecting effective, low-risk methods.

  • Pest and Action Thresholds: IPM requires establishing tolerable pest levels and action thresholds (intolerable levels that trigger management actions).

  • Pest Resistance Management: Pest populations can develop increased tolerance to pesticides, which is inherited. Physiological resistance occurs from repeated exposure to pesticides targeting critical processes, while behavioral resistance causes pests to avoid products. Applicators should recognize resistance when proper application fails and switch to pesticides with different modes of action.

Detecting, Identifying, and Monitoring Pests

  • Pest Detection: PMPs use knowledge of pest habits, inspection tools (eyes, hand lenses, mirrors, flashlights, probes, utility tools), and various traps (passive sticky traps, light traps, pheromone traps) to locate pests. Flushing agents (insecticides/plant oils, compressed air) force pests from hiding spots. Moisture meters and sound detection devices help identify conducive conditions or hidden pests. Proper pest identification is crucial for effective management and label compliance.

Application Equipment: Types, Use, and Maintenance

  • Formulations: Pesticides come in various forms (liquids, dry powders, granules, aerosols, baits) with specific application equipment. Proper application depends on understanding droplet size (coarse, fine, mist, aerosols, smokes, fumes, vapors) to maximize efficacy and minimize drift.

  • Liquid Application Equipment: Common equipment includes compressed-air sprayers (handheld, backpack) with various nozzles (solid stream, flat fan, hollow/solid cone, multi-jet) that control application rate and droplet size. Aerosol dispensers (RTUs), total-release aerosols ("bug bombs"), and pistol sprayers are also used. ULV applicators and thermal foggers produce fine droplets for open spaces but have limitations in penetrating voids. Calibration of sprayers is essential for applying correct rates, involving calculating liquid expelled per unit time and area coverage.

  • Dusts: Applied dry via bulb dusters, hand bellows, or power dusters, commonly in restricted areas like wall voids or attics, providing residual control as insects contact or ingest particles.

  • Granules and Baits: Granules are applied with spreaders (drop, rotary) around building perimeters, releasing active ingredients when wet. Granular baits (primarily for ants) are applied near nesting areas, requiring proper placement to ensure uptake. Gel baits (for cockroaches and ants) are applied in specific spots using syringe-style or applicator guns. Rodent baits, often pellets or cakes, are typically placed in tamper-resistant bait stations (meeting EPA criteria) to prevent access by non-target organisms.

  • Pesticide Terms: Key application types include: residual insecticides (long-lasting control); general treatment (broad indoor/outdoor application); barrier/perimeter treatment (around foundations for entry prevention); spot treatment (small, defined areas < 2 sq. ft.); crack-and-crevice treatment (small amounts into hiding/travel areas); and broadcast treatments (uniform application over large areas, e.g., lawns).

  • Calculations: Applicators must perform simple math to calculate the correct amount of liquid or dry product needed based on label instructions and tank capacity/area to be treated, ensuring safety and effectiveness.