Pesticide safety and restrictions
Review restrictions, request waivers, and access the pesticide hypersensitivity registry
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The application of restricted herbicides at certain times and in certain areas of Louisiana requires a waiver. If you are a commercial applicator who wants a waiver, apply to the LDAF District Office in your area at least 24 hours before the scheduled application of the pesticide.
The application for waiver contains the following:
The name and address of the person requesting the application;
The name of the applicator who will actually make the application;
The name of the owner-operator, if different from the applicator making the application;
The location where the application will be made, including the crop and name and address of the landowner;
The proposed date and hour when the application is scheduled; and
Any other information pertinent to the specific waiver application which may be required by the commissioner.
See:
LDAF maintains a registry of pesticide hypersensitive Individuals. Each person on the registry has had a Louisiana physician verify they were evaluated and found to be hypersensitive to pesticide exposure.
We request that special precautions be taken when making commercial pesticide applications near these individuals. Licensed pesticide applicators, owners, and/or operators are asked to notify applicable individuals on the registry of their scheduled pesticide applications within 100 feet of the individual’s residence. This is a voluntary program and cooperation between hypersensitive individuals and pesticide applicators is strongly encouraged by LDAF.
To request placement on the registry:
Download the application and print it.
Get your hypersensitivity verified by a Louisiana physician. Bring the application and have the physician sign it.
Complete and mail the application.
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The Louisiana Pesticide law aims to protect school children from the dangers of pesticide exposure by
Controlling the amount and type of pesticides used on school property.
Requiring school authorities to document planned pesticide applications on school grounds with an annual Integrated pest management (IPM) plan.
Encouraging pest control methods that don't use pesticides
Together, these strategies are known as " Integrated pest management (IPM )"
Integrated pest management plans at schools
The law requires governing authority of each K-12 school to submit an annual Integrated pest management plan outlining:
The brand names and EPA numbers of of pesticides they plan to apply
Where on school grounds they plan to apply them.
The names and certification numbers of the applicators
Other, non-pesticide pest control methods the school has put in effect. (See next section.)
Pest control without pesticides
One big way to protect children from pesticide exposure is by using non-pesticide methods such as:
Keeping the shrubs and vegetation where pests breed at least a foot away from school buildings
Sealing gaps, cracks and holes where pests can get in
Eliminating the trash and food waste that sustain pest colonies
Using non-chemical methods such as glue boards and traps.
Resources
This one-page school pest management brochure tells you what you should know about pesticide use in Louisiana schools.
Ready to practice safe pest control at your school?
Review the school integrated pest management packet , which includes an overview of the law, an inspection checklist, and record-keeping forms.
Reported all uncontained spills of more than 1 gallon liquid or 4 pounds dry weight to the director of Pesticides and Environmental Programs within 24 hours.
Make reports by phone and written notice within three days. Written notice of uncontained spills may be emailed to the director at pesticides@ldaf.state.la.us.
Commercial applicators are responsible for the cost of cleanups resulting from pesticide spills in their operations.
Our Pesticide Emergencies Hotline is open 24 hours for reporting pesticide spills and health-related pesticide incidents.
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Unwanted Pesticide Collection
To assist pesticide applicators and users of pesticides with the safe collection and lawful disposal of banned, outdated, or unwanted pesticides, LDAF hosts unwanted pesticide collection events. Disposal is at no cost to producers, applicators or homeowners.
At this time there are no unwanted pesticide collection events scheduled. Once scheduled the date and location will be posted here.
Inventory sheets are strongly encouraged for planning. Inventory sheets should be returned to your local LSU AgCenter office.
For additional information contact Ryan Hackett at 225-925-3763 or your local LSU AgCenter office.
Unwanted Pesticide Collection FAQs
Tips for Safely Transporting Pesticides
Contact info
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for ensuring that the waters of the state are protected from pesticide contamination. In order to achieve this objective, the Department maintains a statewide monitoring network for surface and ground water and samples on a set schedule to verify that the waters are free of any level of pesticides that would cause concern. LDAF has in place 46 surface water sampling sites and 50 groundwater sites that are sampled. These sites are strategically located to monitor the areas most likely to be impacted by any agricultural pesticide usage. The site locations are shown in the maps.
The goal of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Endangered Species Program is to carry out the responsibilities under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), while at the same time not placing undue burdens on agricultural and other pesticide users.
You can obtain information on the Endangered Species Program by contacting LDAF or reviewing the EPA Endangered Species Protection Program .
Further information may be found at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Endangered Species Program .
About the regulation
Visit the EPA WPS How To Comply website for details.
The WPS for Agricultural Pesticides is a regulation aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers at agricultural producing establishments. Links are available to information for employers to comply with the WPS and you can download a full PDF version of the manual.
Our interview policy for agricultural employees
When WPS workers, handlers, or witnesses are interviewed, the interviews should be made in person. When this is not possible or practical, a telephone interview must be used to complete the interview process. When the worker, handler, or witness is limited in English proficiency, the LDAF inspector will contact the Pesticide Environmental Programs Division (PEPD) office in Baton Rouge. The PEPD will arrange for a Spanish interpreter or translator to provide assistance during the interview.
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Related links