How To: Know what training you need for applying pest control or pesticides

Some of the most common questions directed to the Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division have to do with training – who is required to have training and what kind. The answers depend on what type of work a person wants to do. This breaks down to either pest control of buildings (which falls under … Read more

Special training & testing sessions scheduled for new grain fumigant requirement

As of July, farmers (or any others) who apply fumigants to stored grain in North Carolina need a new subcategory on their pesticide license. If you treat stored grain, the Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division is offering specialized sessions across the state to assist those who need to obtain this new subcategory Z(CF) on … Read more

“We Do That!” – Bilingual Pesticide Education

The sixth video in the “We Do That!” series focuses on Carmina Hanson who is a bilingual employee who helps Spanish speaking farm workers learn and understand North Carolina’s pesticide law. Hanson works in the Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division. As with the other videos in the series, the goal is to showcase one … Read more

Spring pesticide collection events coming up.

Summary: 18 special Pesticide Disposal Collection Days are planned across the state to help farmers and homeowners properly dispose of unwanted pesticides. The special collection days are a partnership between the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service. Today’s Topic with Southern Farm Network’s Mike … Read more

Online testing is new game-changing option for pesticide applicators, dealers, etc.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things for people in all walks of life, and one of those things has been the licensing testing related to pesticides in North Carolina. During the pandemic, a significant effort was made to move the testing online, and it seems the change is here to stay – at least for … Read more

Hemp added to registry in effort to protect it

From grapes to cotton, tobacco to Christmas trees, any crop can be harmed if the wrong herbicide or pesticide comes in contact with it. Certain specialty crops are especially vulnerable because they can be damaged by lots of normal herbicides and pesticides that are commonly used on farms and yards across North Carolina. Beehives could … Read more

NCDA&CS checks regulation of antimicrobial pesticides for COVID-19 cleaning

It seems many people, including business owners and managers, are thinking about deep cleaning these days. That’s especially true as more businesses in North Carolina reopen and people transition from the governor’s “stay home” order to a “safer at home” advisory. While still not advised by the state’s health leaders, that means more people will … Read more

Today’s Topic: NCDA&CS Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program passes new milestone – 4 million pounds collected.

Today's Topic

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” On the heels of Earth Day celebrations, the NCDA&CS Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program has collected more than 4 million pounds of unused and unwanted pesticides. The program ensures these products are disposed of in a responsible and … Read more

Carpenter bees: a tale of solitude and tolerance

It’s the time of year when you may be seeing more carpenter bees around your house, especially if you’re around your house more these days. Carpenter bees are solitary though, so you won’t find them in hives – probably just one or two at a time in any given area. Right now, lots of male … Read more

Pesticide Disposal Program keeps dangerous pesticides out of NC waterways and landfills

Four million pounds. Two thousand tons. Sixty-four million ounces. No matter how you say it, it’s a big number, and for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer services, it’s a major milestone. Four million pounds is the amount of pesticides the department has helped collect and properly dispose of since 1980. That’s the year … Read more