Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
026 - BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL
Chapter 31 - CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING PROVISIONS/COMMERCIAL APPLICATORS
Section 026-31-2 - Categories of Commercial Applicators

Current through 2024-13, March 27, 2024

A. All commercial applicators shall be categorized according to the type of work performed as outlined below:

I. Agricultural Animal and Plant Pest Control
a. Agricultural Animal - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides on animals and to places on or in which animals are confined. Doctors of Veterinary Medicine engaged in the business of applying pesticides for hire as pesticide applicators are included in this subcategory; however, those persons applying pesticides as drugs or medication during the course of their normal practice are not included.

b. Agricultural Plant - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the production of crops including blueberries, orchard fruit, potatoes, vegetables, forage, grain and industrial or non-food crops.

Option I - Limited Commercial Blueberry - This option includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the production of blueberries only.

Option II - Chemigation - This option includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides applied through irrigation equipment in the production of crops.

Option III - Agricultural Fumigation - This option includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of fumigant pesticides in the production of crops.

Option IV - Post Harvest Treatment - This option includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the post harvest treatment of food crops.

II. Forest Pest Management

This category includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in forests, forest nurseries, Christmas trees, and forest seed producing areas.

III. Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
a. Outdoor Ornamentals - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to control pests in the maintenance and production of outdoor ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers.

b. Turf - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to control pests in the maintenance and production of turf, such as at turf farms, golf courses, parks, cemeteries, athletic fields and lawns.

c. Indoor Ornamentals - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to control pests in the maintenance and production of live plants in shopping malls, businesses, residences and institutions.

IV. Seed Treatment

This category includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides on seeds.

V. Aquatic Pest Control
a. General Aquatic - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides applied directly to surface water, including but not limited to outdoor application to public drinking water supplies, golf course ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands. Excluding applicators engaged in public health related activities included in categories VII (e) and VIII below.

b. Sewer Root Control - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides applied to sewers to control root growth in sewer pipes.

VI. Vegetation Management
a. Rights-of-Way Vegetation Management - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the management of vegetation on utility, roadside and railroad rights-of-way.

b. General Vegetation Management - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the management of vegetation (including invasive plants) on sites not included in category VI a including, but not limited to, municipal and other publicly owned properties, industrial or commercial plants and buildings, lumber yards, airports, tank farms, storage areas, parking lots, sidewalks, and trails.

VII. Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health Related Pest Control
a. General - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in, on or around human dwellings, office buildings, institutions such as schools and hospitals, stores, restaurants, industrial establishments (other than in Category 6) including factories, warehouses, food processing plants, food or feed transportation facilities and other structures, vehicles, railroad cars, ships, aircraft and adjacent areas; and for the protection of stored, processed or manufactured products. This subcategory also includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to control rodents on refuse areas and to control other pests, including but not limited to birds and mammals.

b. Fumigation - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of fumigants or fumigation techniques in any type of structure or transportation device.

c. Disinfectant and Biocide
1. Disinfectant and Biocide Treatments- This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to treat water in manufacturing, industrial cooling towers, public drinking water treatment plants, sewers, and air conditioning systems.

2. Swimming Pool & Spa - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to treat water in swimming pools and spas.

3. Mold Remediation- This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to treatmold or microbial growth problems.

d. Wood Preserving - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides to treat lumber, poles, railroad ties and other types of wooden structures including bridges, shops and homes. It also includes commercial applicators applying general use pesticides for remedial treatment to utility poles.

e. Biting Fly & other Arthropod Vectors - This subcategory includes commercial applicators and non-public health governmental officials using or supervising the use of pesticides in management and control of biting flies & other arthropod vectors of public health and public nuisance importance including, but not limited to, ticks, mosquitoes, black flies, midges, and members of the horsefly family.

f. Termite Pests - This subcategory includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to control termites.

VIII. Public Health Pest Control
a. Biting Fly Pests - This subcategory includes governmental officials using pesticides in management and control of potential disease vectors or other pests having medical and public health importance including, but not limited to, mosquitoes, black flies, midges, and members of the horsefly family.

b. Other Pests - This subcategory includes governmental officials using pesticides in programs for controlling other pests of concern to public health including, but not limited to, ticks and birds and mammal vectors of human disease.

IX. Regulatory Pest Control

This category includes governmental employees using pesticides in the control of pests regulated by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or some other governmental agency.

X. Demonstration and Research Pest Control

This category includes all individuals who (1) demonstrate to the public the proper use and techniques of application of pesticides or supervise such demonstration, (2) conduct field research with pesticides, and in doing so, use or supervise the use of pesticides. Individuals who conduct only laboratory-type research are not included. Applicants seeking certification in this category must also become certified in whatever category/subcategory they plan to make applications under; e.g., Categories I - IX.

XI. Aerial Pest Control

This category includes commercial applicators, including pilots and co-pilots, applying or supervising the application of pesticides by means of any aircraft. Applicants seeking certification in this category must also become certified in whatever category/subcategory they plan to make applications under; e.g., Categories I - IX.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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