Martinsville, Ohio |
We may soon need a Pesticide Applicator Certification to control rodents on the farm - Stan Smith, Fairfield County OSU Extension On January 17, 2007, EPA issued a proposed risk mitigation decision for nine (9) rodenticides: Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Bromethalin, Chlorophacinone, Cholecalciferol, Difethialone, Diphacinone, Warfarin, and Zinc Phosphide. You may recognize these materials as the ingredients in some of the mouse and rat control products we would typically utilize around Ohio farms. 1) All products for sale to consumers (homeowners) be marketed only in tamper-proof bait stations with solid bait blocks; 2) All products containing Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, and Difethialone would be classified as "restricted use" pesticides; and 3) All products would be required to have improved label use instructions. Should the proposal be accepted, the shift of the three products listed above in number 2 to "restricted use" will perhaps be the most immediate concern to livestock producers. Due to the nature of their current operation, producers may not possess the ODA's Private Pesticide Applicator Certification in a category which would allow them to purchase and use the rodent control products containing the restricted materials. Thus, a "restricted use" classification would require a number of Ohio livestock producers and farmers to become certified applicators in the category which would accommodate their rodent control concerns, and then cause them to begin keeping records on the use of these products. Under Ohio's licensing system, applicators are licensed for the "site" where pesticides are used. Mouse and rat problems in grain bins would fall under the stored grain category (Private category #10). Rodent problems in a livestock building would be under the livestock category (Private category #8). The issue that has yet to be addressed would be what category other buildings such as harvest equipment storage barns fall under. For more information regarding Ohio's Private Pesticide Applicator Certification process, visit the OSU Pesticide Education website at: http://pested.osu.edu As is typical of such EPA proposals, there is currently a public comment period regarding the proposal which extends until May 18, 2007. Comments on the proposal may be submitted electronically or by mail. You may submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0955, by one of the following methods: * Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001
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Will we need a pesticide license to kill rodents?
