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Licensing of Sewer Root Control Pesticide Applicators in Florida 1
Frederick M. Fishel2This document explains the licensing and regulation of persons who apply restricted use pesticides to control or prevent the growth of roots in sewer lines or pipes in Florida, as regulated by the Florida Pesticide Law (Chapter 487), and administered by the Florida Department of Consumer Services.
Sewer Root Control
All persons who use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides to control or prevent the growth of roots in sewer lines or pipes must have a pesticide applicator license issued by the Bureau of Compliance Monitoring/Pesticide Certification Section. The Florida Sewer Root Control category is regulated by the Florida Pesticide Law (Florida Statutes, Chapter 487) .Category Certification Standards
Applicators seeking a license in this category must demonstrate practical knowledge of:
- the safe handling and proper application of sewer root control chemicals;
- root growth and biology;
- equipment types and calibration procedures;
- proper pesticide handling;
- mixing and application procedures;
- proper use and maintenance of personal protective equipment;
- toxicity of root control pesticides to humans and non-target organisms via common exposure routes;
- proper cleaning, disposal and containment techniques;
- effects of root control pesticides on ground water, sewage treatment plants, septic tanks, holding tanks, lift stations, and other sewage treating, conveying, or handling equipment;
- environmental effects;
- factors that may lead to a hazardous condition; and
- the laws and regulations governing pesticide use.
License Classification
Certified sewer root control applicators may be licensed as either public applicators or commercial applicators. These are the major differences:
- A public applicator is a licensed applicator employed by a public or governmental agency. The license is only valid when performing work for the public or governmental agency. The public applicator fee for a four-year license is $60.
- A commercial applicator is a licensed applicator who is licensed to apply restricted-use pesticides on any property provided they are certified in the category for which the applications are made. A commercial applicator is usually a contract applicator. The commercial applicator fee for a four-year license is $160.
Examinations
Persons must successfully complete the Sewer Root Control examination before they can apply to the Department for a license. The Sewer Root Control examination is administered by Florida Department of Consumer Services' Division of Agricultural and Environmental Services. There are no additional qualifications or fees required to take the examination, which is administered by request by calling (850) 488-3314.Study Materials
Study manuals for Sewer Root Control applicators who will be taking the exam may be obtained from Cornell University by calling (607) 255-7282 or on-line at http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu.Recertification
Applicators must recertify every four years. To recertify, applicators may take the examination again or attend training and obtain 4 continuing education units (CEUs) approved for the Sewer Root Control category. No substitutions of other types of CEUs are allowed. Opportunities to earn CEUs may be found at http://www.flaes.org/..
Restricted use pesticides applied in the Sewer Root Control category
Table 1 lists Florida's restricted use pesticides that are applied in the Sewer Root Control category and the reason for the restricted classification. A complete listing of all restricted use pesticides in Florida may be viewed at:http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PI073.Table 1. Restricted use sewer root control pesticides in Florida.
Pesticide common name
Criteria for RUP
Dichlobenil
Acute toxicity
Additional Information
Fishel, F.M. 2005. Restricted use pesticides. UF/IFAS EDIS Fact Sheet PI-36, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PI073.Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Bureau of Compliance Monitoring, Pesticide Licensing Section, 3125 Conner Drive, Bldg. 8, L-29, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650, Phone: 850-488-3314, http://www.flaes.org//complimonitoring/index.html (accessed September 14, 2006).
University of Florida/IFAS Pesticide Information Office, P.O. Box 110710, Bldg. 164, Gainesville, FL 32611-0710, Phone: 352-392-4721, http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/. (accessed September 14, 2006).
Footnotes
1. This document is PI-146, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date February 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Frederick M. Fishel, associate professor, Agronomy Department, and Director, Pesticide Information Office; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.