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Licensed pesticide applicators help protect Colorado trees from
Colorado As Colorado's pine beetle epidemic continues to consume our forests, it leaves homeowners scrambling for pesticide applicators to protect their trees from this devastating beetle. Officials at the Colorado Department of Agriculture recommend hiring licensed pesticide applicators to get the job done. The Colorado Pesticide Applicators' Act requires any person or company that applies pesticides for hire, whether they are applying to a structure, trees, or agricultural area, to be licensed as a commercial applicator. There are many factors that must be taken into consideration during a pesticide application to protect the public and the environment. Prior to any application, an applicator should identify hazards and take the necessary steps to protect the homeowner's property from pesticide drift (i.e.: children's toys, lawn furniture, closing windows, etc.), especially when making applications around a home. In addition, a licensed pesticide applicator knows to apply the pesticide at the correct rate and in a manner that is effective in controlling the pest. "Every licensed commercial applicator in Colorado has to meet strict testing requirements that are enforced by the department," said John Scott, pesticide applicator coordinator at CDA. "For better environmental and public safety, they must have the necessary training, expertise and experience to apply these chemicals." A person or company that performs applications for hire without holding the appropriate license may receive a minimum fine of $1,000 per violation. In addition to licensing commercial pesticide applicators, CDA officials conduct routine office inspections to review records on applicators, equipment maintenance and storage and disposal of pesticide practices. The Department also investigates commercial pesticide application complaints, but possible violators may be more difficult to locate during an investigation if the customer has hired an unlicensed applicator. Contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide Section at 303-239-4146 or online at www.ag.state.co.us/DPI/PesticideApplicator/Home.html with additional questions or to determine if a company you intend to hire to make pesticide applications to your trees is licensed or to file a pesticide misapplication complaint.
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