CLEMSON, SC - If you are thinking about hiring a lawn-care service to help control insects, weeds or plant diseases in your lawn or garden this spring, the Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) urges you to make sure you hire a service that is licensed in S.C. Category 3, Turf & Ornamental Pest Control. 

“Using non-chemical methods such as biological, environmental or mechanical controls is the preferred and most environmentally friendly means of getting rid of lawn and garden pests,” said Rusty Wilson, field specialist for DPR.  “But sometimes they're not enough, or there just isn't a non-chemical solution to getting your landscape back on track. When chemicals have to be applied, it's important to make sure the applicator is trained, licensed and legal."  

Wilson said that since 2005 he and the rest of the DPR's field staff across the state have been actively spreading the word about the changes in the pesticide laws. 

"I think we've done a good job," said Wilson. "I meet very few people in this industry who aren't aware that they need a license." 

The law requires that anyone who applies herbicides, insecticides or other pesticides to commercially or privately owned turf, landscapes or ornamental plantings for compensation on someone else's property must have a pesticide applicator’s license and be covered by a minimum amount of liability insurance. 

"Like most of what we do, it's a consumer- and environmental-protection issue," added Wilson. 

Cam Lay, assistant department head for DPR, agreed. "The level of technology and chemistry in this industry has increased dramatically and so has the need for training and competency standards. Our licensing process makes sure that the person treating your lawn understands the risks and gets the job right the first time.”

According to DPR, many lawn-care services have chosen either to forego the chemical application parts of their business or hire it out to a licensed applicator.  Mowing, raking, pruning and other non-chemical services do not require a pesticide license. 

Licenses can be verified on the DPR website at regfocus.clemson.edu/dpr/greenbook.htm. All lawn-care professionals who are licensed by the Department of Pesticide Regulation are required to have a yellow departmental decal on each side of their vehicle. Any lawn-care service employee who applies herbicides, insecticides or other pesticides must either be licensed or working under the direct supervision of the service's licensee.

DPR offers the following tips when selecting a lawn care company:

• Call the department’s main office at (864) 646-2150 to learn whether a service has a history of violations or visit the online enforcement history database at regfocus.clemson.edu/dpr/greenbook.htm.
• Get several bids from different lawn-care services.  Bids usually are free.
• Ask friends and neighbors to recommend a service.
• Trust your instincts. If the individual or service you are dealing with does not treat you with courtesy and professionalism, find someone else.

The Department of Pesticide Regulation has 15 field specialists in eight offices across South Carolina. Visit the website at dpr.clemson.edu to find the field office nearest you.