Bugs may not be the only problem when your house needs to be fumigated.
Rule breaking pest killers racked up 90 violations when Health Canada’s pest management agency investigated 67 pest control operations across the country.
According to the most recent annual report from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency some operators had more than one violation.some operators had more than one violation, including having unregistered and expired products in storage.
The main violation the Pest Control Operations Inspection program found was the misuse of products.
Inspectors found more than 40 incidents in which pesticide applicators failed to follow the instructions outlined on the product.
‘You have to follow what it says on the label’
Exterminators work with a variety of pesticides depending on what the problem is.
Calvin MacDonald, owner of Protec Pest Control in Kingston, N.S., says pesticide products have labels outlining the safety guidelines.
“You have to follow what it says on the label,” MacDonald says. “It says how it can be applied, where it can be applied, at what rate, what safety equipment to wear.”
Not following product instructions can put people’s safety at risk, says MacDonald.
Pest killers need to suit up in proper personal safety gear including safety goggles, rubber gloves and respirators for indoor jobs says MacDonald.
MacDonald says failing to follow the rules won’t result in firing at Protec Pest Control but the employee would need training.
Response from Health Canada
After inspection, pest control operators caught breaking the rules were the ones being bugged.
Sixteen rule enforcement letters were sent out. Other responses included education letters as well receiving verbal education.
All inspected operators were provided with outreach materials.
“The objective is to conduct timely interventions when unacceptable risks of non-compliance are identified,” Health Canada’s report on the inspections states.
But the Pest Management Regulatory Agency does more than respond to violations, it also tries to prevent pesticide use mistakes from happening.
In the 2014-2015 fiscal year the agency organized 233 outreach activates including meetings and exhibit booths at trade shows and distributing materials on pesticide use.
Getting certified
Environmental analyst with Nova Scotia Environment, Solveig Madsen says all pesticide applicators need to pass an exam to receive qualification certification.
The required passing grade for the exam is 75 per cent overall and no less than 70 per cent on the label and calculation section of the test.
Test takers have two options Madsen says, they can study from provided materials or take a training course.
While Nova Scotia Environment says it strongly recommends taking the course, it is not mandatory.
The exam includes general questions regarding safety. But Madsen says it is a requirement that pesticide applicators follow the product’s instructions outlined on its label.
Madsen says Canada has national standards that set out the framework for pesticide education, training and certification.
Health Canada’s pest control operators inspection results