Page 162 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

17. What is the role of the Department of Agriculture relative to termite protection?
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services licenses and inspects pest control
companies and registers the pesticides used for preventive treatment for new construction.

18. Are products for termite protection required to be approved? If so, who is
responsible for the approval?
The products used for this purpose are pesticides, and are not “approved” as such, but are
either eligible for registration or not eligible. Pesticides that include directions for use as
preventive treatments for new construction can be registered if they meet the requirements
of Chapter 5E-2.0311, Florida Administrative Code. This rule is administered by the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A list of pesticides registered as
preventive treatment for new construction can be accessed at www.flaes.org.

19. What are the Statutes and Rule (FAC) that governs termite protection?
Chapter 482, Florida Statutes and Chapter 5E-14, Florida Administrative Code, govern
structural pest control in Florida. The Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control of the
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the regulatory body responsible for
administering this statute and rule.

20. When is a vertical treatment required and what are the specifications relative to the
distance from the perimeter of the building?
Vertical treatment is the application of a soil applied termiticide to the soil around the exterior of
a foundation. The specifications for this application are included in the directions for application
on the label of the pesticide. Typically the directions are for an application of four gallons of
insecticide mixture per ten linear feet of foundation, immediately adjacent to the foundation.

21. What is the responsibility of local building departments relative to the inspection of
the termite system and what specific things should they inspect?
Termite bait systems are registered pesticides and contain label directions that include
inspection intervals. It is the responsibility of the licensed pest control operator to follow label
directions in the use of these pesticides. Section 105.11 of the Code requires that building
components and surroundings required by the Code to be protected from termite damage must
not be covered or concealed until approved by the building official. Questions regarding
compliance with label directions for use by the pest control operator should be directed to the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Bureau of Entomology and Pest
Control at 850-921-4177.

22. Should inspections be made per manufacturer’s requirements or as required based
on the approval of the system?
Termite bait systems are registered pesticides and contain label directions that include
inspection intervals. It is the responsibility of the licensed pest control operator to follow
label directions in the use of these pesticides. Where the Code does not provided specific
installation instructions for the termite protection system, inspection by the building official must
be in accordance with system approval. For all bait systems currently registered, a single
inspection by the building official when construction is completed should be sufficient to verify
that the system has been installed.

23. Is a license required to apply pesticides, and if so, would that include a contractors
license?
The application of pesticides (including use of termite bait systems) as preventive treatment of
new construction is considered pest control. In Florida, a license from the Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services is required to perform pest control on property other
than your own. Performing pest control without a valid license is illegal.

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