Pesticide License

Pesticide License

Nebraska law requires that all persons that apply pesticides to a lawn for hire have a current pesticide license. To obtain a Nebraska pesticide license, one must complete certain educational and testing requirements as overseen by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Pesticide licenses must be renewed every three years after completion of continuing education requirements.

What is a ….cide?

The terms “insecticide” and “pesticide” are sometimes used interchangeably, which is incorrect and can be confusing. Insecticides are just one type of pesticide, specifically for insects. Pesticides are used to manage, repel, and if necessary, kill a range of pests, including insects, mites, fungi, weeds, slugs, snails, rodents and nematodes. Other types of pesticides you may hear include: “miticides” and “acaricides,” which are used to control mites and ticks; “fungicides,” for preventing mildew, mold and fungal rot disease; “herbicides,” to kill weeds and unwanted or invasive plant life; “rodenticides,” for mice, rats, bats and other rodents; “nematicides,” to control soil nematodes; and “molluscicides,” for attracting and killing snails and slugs.

Natural Pesticides

Corn Gluten is a by-product of corn milling to make corn useable in baking. It is totally edible and is often used in commercial baking and pet food. It is also used as a lawn fertilizer and pre-emergent since its stops the germination of some weed seeds. If it’s used for baking or feed then no license is required, however, as soon as it is used as a pre-emergent for turf state law requires the applicator to obtain a pesticide license.

All natural pesticides (Fungicides, Insecticides and Herbicides) require a license to apply. For example, milky spores are used to prevent grubs, but since it is being used to control a pest, a Nebraska pesticide license is required. Other examples of non-toxic pesticides that are commonly applied that require a Nebraska pesticide license include: garlic, vinegar, iron, beet juice, Dawn dish soap and even chili powder and more.

Pesticide Labels are a Federal Law

The label on a pesticide package or container and the accompanying instructions are a key part of pesticide regulation. The label provides critical information about how to handle and safely use the pesticide product and avoid harm to human health and the environment. It has been said that, “The label is the law.” This means that using a pesticide in a manner that is inconsistent with the use directions on the label is a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and can result in enforcement actions to correct the violations. The following statement is found on all registered pesticide product labels in the United States:

“It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.”

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

The objective of FIFRA is to provide federal control of pesticide distribution, sale, and use. All pesticides used in the United States must be registered (licensed) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Registration assures that pesticides will be properly labeled and that, if used in accordance with specifications, they will not cause unreasonable harm to the environment. Use of each registered pesticide must be consistent with use directions contained on the label or labeling. All applicators applying pesticides must obtain and carry a pesticide license with them at all times when they are applying.

The first pesticide control law was enacted in 1910. This law was primarily aimed at protecting consumers from ineffective products and deceptive labeling. When the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) was first passed in 1947, it established procedures for registering pesticides with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and established labeling provisions. The law was still, however, primarily concerned with the efficacy of pesticides and did not regulate pesticide use.

FIFRA was essentially rewritten in 1972 when it was amended by the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act (FEPCA). The law has been amended numerous times since 1972, including some significant amendments in the form of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. In its current form, FIFRA mandates that the EPA regulate the use and sale of pesticides to protect human health and preserve the environment.

FIFRA provides the EPA with the authority to oversee the sale and use of pesticides. However, because FIFRA does not fully preempt state/tribal or local law, each state/tribe and local government may also regulate pesticide use.

Applicator Pesticide License Search

Search to see if your lawn care provider is licensed in Nebraska to apply natural or synthetic pesticide products.