Structural Pest Control and Pesticides - Misuse & Complaints

Pesticide Misuse and Complaints

If you have concerns or a complaint about possible misuse of pesticides or potential violations of Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division regulations, you can submit a request for a member of the SPC&PD staff to contact you about your concerns and potentially initiate an investigation. In the case of an emergency such as a pesticide spill, poisoning, etc., a phone call will expedite an immediate investigation by the Division.

Pesticide Enforcement Response Unit

Agriculture, Aquatic, Public Land, Right-of-Way, or Yard

The Enforcement Response Unit serves as the lead in responding to citizen complaints and in coordinating pesticide investigations.  This Unit works with pesticide inspectors, chemists, epidemiologists, plant specialists, animal specialists, local law enforcement, veterinarians, and many other local, state and federal agencies in coordinating all of the events necessary to complete an investigation.  Once enforcement specialists pull all parts of an investigation together, they meet with the NC Attorney General's Office to determine if any pesticide violations have occurred.   The Pesticide Section is authorized to negotiate settlements of enforcement actions if the alleged perpetrator wishes to avoid a formal hearing before the N.C. Pesticide Board.  If a settlement cannot be reached, the Enforcement Response Unit and the Attorney General's Office present the State's case before the North Carolina Pesticide Board in a formal hearing.

This Unit is also involved in ensuring environmental remediation when appropriate.   For instance, in the event of a pesticide spill, the Department will negotiate cleanup for the contaminated area before agreeing to any settlement. This type of enforcement not only requires corrective action on the part of the accused but also ensures that environmental repair or remediation will take place.

The Enforcement Response Unit provides the first stage of response to citizen's complaints, works throughout an investigation to ensure all necessary evidence is obtained, and reports back to complainants after an enforcement case is closed.  The Enforcement Response Unit plays an important role in helping the Pesticide Section accomplish its objective in administering and enforcing the NC Pesticide Law of 1971 and regulations adopted by the NC Pesticide Board.

 

 

Structural Pest Control Investigations & Complaints

In, On, or Under a Building, Deck, Porch, or other Structure

Structural pest control includes the inspection for, identification of and control of any wood-destroying organism or household pest, and the use of pesticides, or other substances, mechanical devices or structural modifications for the purpose of preventing, controlling and eradicating pests in and around structures, as well as all phases of fumigation.

The NC Structural Pest Control Act created the Structural Pest Control Committee, which is authorized to adopt rules concerning methods and materials to be used in performing structural pest control work. One of our Structural inspectors will contact the complainant typically within 1-2 business days after our office receives the submission, if warranted.

The inspector will perform an on-site inspection and will review contracts, treatment records and labels of pesticides used. (Please make copies available of all contractual agreements or other documents related to the incident/application.) The inspector will also interview all involved parties. While conducting the investigation, the inspector may also collect samples for testing to identify the presence and the amount of pesticide in the samples.

After the inspector has gathered all of the necessary information related to a complaint, a District Manager will review the case for compliance with the North Carolina Structural Pest Control Law or rules. If evidence is sufficient to support a violation of the Structural Pest Control Law or rules, the Structural Pest Control Division will notify the pest control operator and may take action, such as: Report indicating necessary corrections, Caution letter, Notice of warning, Settlement agreement, Structural Pest Control Committee hearing, or Criminal action.

Requests can be submitted either by mail or through the use of our webform.

  1. Mailing Address
    • North Carolina Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services
      Structural Pest Control Complaint
      1090 Mail Service Center 
      Raleigh, NC 27699-1090
  2. Complaint Submission Webform

Investigation & Complaint Response Information Guide

 

 

For questions or if additional assistance is required, please contact the NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control & Pesticide Division at 984-236-4575.    Directions

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