Board of Pesticides Control Update
The Board of Pesticides Control wants to keep you informed on issues that may affect you. We welcome your input and feedback. Please send your comments to pesticides@maine.gov.
December 1, 2023 at 9:00 AM in Room 101 of the Deering Building located at 90 Blossom Lane in Augusta. This will be a hybrid meeting. For more information, visit the Board Meetings Page.
The following programs have been approved for pesticide recertification credits. More recertification opportunities may be found on the BPC Credit Calendar.
December 5, 2023 – Beech Leaf and Bark Disease: Emerging Threats to Beech Trees
Location: Virtual
Approved for 1 pesticide credit (commercial, private)
Register and for more information
December 6, 2023 – PCT Rodent Control Virtual Conference
Location: Virtual
Approved for 4 pesticide credits (commercial)
Register and for more information
Deccember 6 through December 7, 2023 – 2023 High Tunnel Production Conference – “Revitalizing Your Tunnel Vision”
Location: Fireside Inn and Suites, 25 Airport Rd., West Lebanon, NH
Approved for 6 pesticide credits (agriculture)
Register and for more information
December 31, 2023 – Commercial Applicator license renewal deadline
January 9 – 11, 2024 – Ag Trade Show
The show is currently scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, January 9, 10, and 11, 2024, opening at 9:00 AM daily to the public.
January 31, 2024 – Annual summary reports by commercial applicators
Always check to ensure all products distributed or used are currently registered in the State of Maine. Get a list of the current Maine registrations.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Division of Animal Health and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) have confirmed new cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in several emu flocks and multiple horses across Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, and Waldo counties in the past few weeks. A West Nile Virus (WNV) case has been identified in a horse from York County. Routine and enhanced mosquito surveillance has also pinpointed EEE in Kennebec and Penobscot Counties.
Ratites, including emus and ostriches, and game birds like pheasants, are particularly susceptible to these mosquito-borne diseases. Equines and camelids are not exempt from this risk. DACF’s State Veterinarian’s Office strongly urges all owners of sensitive species to take immediate precautions, which include environmental modifications to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds, vaccination of equines, booster vaccinations for horses if more than six months have passed since the last immunization, and consideration of off-label vaccination for camelids and susceptible bird species.
This is the first year that the Maine CDC has reported EEE, WNV, and Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) in mosquito pools in Maine in a single season. Maine CDC has not reported any human case for any of these viruses in Maine, so far this year.
Although a frost capable of killing mosquitoes may occur in many areas of Maine, the current risk persists in multiple state regions. With ongoing reports of suspected cases over several weeks, precautions must be taken to safeguard humans and at-risk animals.
Maine people and visitors should protect themselves and eligible animals from mosquito bites during the fall months. This includes:
- Vaccinating horses against EEE and WNV and booster vaccination of equines if more than 6 months has elapsed since vaccination. A vaccine is not available for JCV. Discuss off-label vaccination with a veterinarian for camelids and susceptible bird species.
- People should wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors where mosquitoes are active.
- Use an EPA-approved repellent on skin and clothes.
- Take extra precautions at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Use screens on windows and doors.
Many people infected with a mosquito-borne disease have no symptoms. Others experience fever and flu-like illness. Severe symptoms can occur, including encephalitis, meningitis, and death. If you experience any of these symptoms call a health care provider.
DACF collaborates closely with public health partners at the Maine CDC and its Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory to share information and assist in diagnostic testing.
For more information and guidance, please visit the DACF Animal Health and the Maine CDC’s Vector-Borne Disease webpages:
Animal Health Program
Mosquito Surveillance Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Pesticide Label Violations – Inspection staff have identified a number of label violations while conducting inspections in 2023. Violations include applications to improper site, improper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), spray applications being made at wind speeds higher than the label allows as well as other weather conditions prohibited by the label including rain and soil saturation, and pesticide storage and disposal among others. It is a violation of state and federal law to use pesticides in a manner that is inconsistent with their labeling.
Pesticide Notification Registry – Annually, inspection staff investigate a number of Spray Contracting Firms (SCF) and Commercial Master Applicators (CMA) for their failure to notify members of the Pesticide Notification Registry prior to an outdoor pesticide application at an abutting property within 250 feet of the registry member’s property. The notification registry is available on March 1st annually. It is the responsibility of the SCF and/or CMA to review the registry annually for properties at which they apply pesticides outdoors and ensure that registry members are properly notified. Failure to notify a member of the Pesticide Notification Registry is a violation of state pesticide law.
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