Pesticide Bureau

Information Bulletin For Building Managers and Landlords Massachusetts Department of Food Agriculture 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02202 (617) 626-1700.

What You Should Know About the Use of Pesticides Indoors

When you shop around for pest control companies, seek out those that offer a complete service. Competent pest control operators will outline a program that identifies pests to be controlled, the extent of infestation, pesticides intended for use and steps you can take to minimize future infestations. The initial inspection may even indicate that pesticides are not necessary. Avoid unproven treatments, rush jobs or special discounts for doing a job immediately.

Ask the company to discuss Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and any sanitation and physical steps you should take to avoid or reduce a pest problem. The fewer pesticides you need to use, the better. An applicator should be able to help you understand your problem and what to do about it. You may also want to contact your local Board of Health or one of the numbers listed below for guidance.

Department of Food and Agriculture regulations Relative to the Commercial Application of Pesticides to Indoor Settings (333 CMR 13.10) specify certain measures that pesticide applicators must take to ensure that information about the application is provided to or made accessible to individuals.

Prior to entering into an agreement or renewal of an existing agreement or on an annual basis to apply pesticides for the control of indoor household or structural pests in public buildings, applicators are required to provide the contracting entity (the person responsible for initiating or signing the contract) with this written statement approved by the Department.

The regulations governing applications in public places require:

You must receive this Department approved statement before to entering into or renewing an agreement to apply pesticides for the control of indoor household or structural pests. At a minimum, you should receive this statement at least on an annual basis

Before beginning each application, the applicator must post a Department approved notice on all of the entrances to the treated room or area. The applicator must leave such notices posted after the application.

The notice will be posted at conspicuous point(s) of access to the area treated. The location and number of signs will be determined by the configuration of the area to be treated based on the applicator's best judgment. It is intended to give sufficient notice that no one comes into an area being treated unaware that the applicator is working and pesticides are being applied.

The applicator or employer will provide to any person upon their request the following information on previously conducted applications:

• Specific location(s) treated including location(s) of rodenticide bait stations;
• Date and time of the application;
• Pesticide applied which shall include disclosing the brand name, active ingredient(s), EPA Registration Number and providing a copy of the label.

Applicators or their employers will provide pre-notification cation to any person upon their request. Pre-notification will include the date of the next treatment, the locations to be treated and potential pesticide(s) that may be used.

Notification may take any form, phone call, letter etc. The intent is that individuals who wish to avoid exposure or encountering the applicator can make necessary arrangements.

Applicators are required by law to follow all direction on the pesticide label and must take all steps necessary to avoid applications with people present in a room or area to be treated. Individuals occupying a room or area to be treated at the time of application shall be informed of the procedure.

Whenever possible, the applicator should not apply pesticides with anyone present. That may mean treating other areas and returning when occupants have left, asking people to leave the area while the work is being done or treating before or after people occupy the room. If people do not leave, the applicator must make it clear that he is there to apply pesticides. The applicator will be prepared to provide whatever information possible about the pesticides and techniques.

The Pesticide Bureau is responsible for enforcing pesticide regulations and laws. If you have questions you may contact the Department of Food and Agriculture, Pesticide Bureau at (617) 626-1700.

If you have questions about health and safety you may contact:

Department of Food and Agriculture, Pesticide Bureau, (617) 626-1700

Department of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment, (617) 727-7170

EPA Pesticide Hotline, 1-800-858-7378

Massachusetts Poison Control System, (617) 232-2120