Issue 5, June 18, 2019
Record Keeping
Record keeping is an essential component of an integrated pest management plan. Records may include details on pest movement, site conditions, and successes or failures of treatments. These records allow applicators to determine which sites are more prone to pest issues and be able to track effective treatment options. While essential to successful pest management, there are also legal reasons to maintain records, especially when applying Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). There are specific types of information that you are required to maintain when using pesticides. Even though not necessary for all restricted use pesticides (RUP), wind direction and wind speed can be useful information.
Commercial Applicators
According to the Illinois Pesticide Act, all commercial applicators must maintain records of RUP applications they make. The following information must be recorded and retained for two years from the date of application and be recorded within 14 days following the pesticide application. Also, federal regulations require all commercial applicators to furnish a copy of either the state or federally required records to the customer within 30 days of the RUP application.
1. Pesticide product name and its U.S. EPA registration number
2. Amount of chemical concentrate applied per unit (e.g., pounds or ounces per acre)
3. The crop, commodity, or site it was applied to.
4. The location it was applied (this can be as specific as the legal property description)
5. Date of application (M/D/Y)
6. The name and certification number of the applicator
Pesticide Dealers
According to the Illinois Pesticide Act, pesticide dealers must retain a record of each RUP sale for two years. The document must include the following information:
1. Purchaser's name, address, and certification number and type of certification if appropriate
2. Quantity and kind of pesticide sold
3. Date of sale
Since there are no standard forms required for any of these records, you can use any system you like, as long as the required information is included and it is legible and accessible to those who have a legal right to see it. Many pesticide companies, personal protection equipment suppliers, and other organizations offer record-keeping sheets or apps. Again, regardless of how you keep records, be sure you meet the requirements as outlined. Here are some great sources below-
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/pesticide-records
https://extension.psu.edu/recordkeeping-form-for-pesticide-applicators
https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2019/easy-use-pesticide-recordkeeping-resources
For more information about any of these laws, contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture or your local University of Illinois Extension office. Also, you can find a good deal of information about these laws at our Pesticide Safety Education website (http://www.pesticidesafety.uiuc.edu).
Original published- http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/pastpest/articles/200111i.html
Author:
Maria Turner