Chemical weed killer

[Fire&LawnRescue]

Hey guys, sorry if this topic has already been brought up as I have been away from the site for the last year. Business has been good and keeping me very busy. However, I recently had a run in with the dept of Agriculture that I felt I should share. I was using a chemical weed killer called Glysophate purely to hit weeds groing along sidewalks or in natural areas. I had the neighbor of one of my customers call them and turn me in to them because a plant in her yard died almost 6 months after I sprayed this yard to kill off Ivy. It turned into a huge situation in which my customers, myself and my vendors were all investigated. I was threatened with a $5,000 fine if we were caught using it again without a license. If you do not know what it is, it's basically Roundup. A little less watered down and you can buy in bulk. For guys like myself who have to cut in the south where it is very humid and we have a lot of rain in the summers, there is really no way to get around weeds overtaking the yards without spraying them. To make a long story short, the D of A is now going around looking for companies who are "illegally" using these LEGAL chemicals. If you are profiting off of killing weeds they expect you to have a license for it. They tell me it is the hardest test they give and basically discourage you from getting the license, while just expecting you to stop treating the weeds. I don't have the luxury to do that as the next company will come in and do the same thing until they get fined. When asked why they are so strict on this now, i was basically told because they have had a lot of complaints with grass and plants accidentally being sprayed and dying. Also they need to find more ways to generate money. Has anybody else run into this problem or have any of you taken the test to get the license?

[jrayb39667]

Lawn care business tips

What if you didn't charge for the use of glycophosphate to kill weeds? Would they be able to fine you then? With the cost of this weed killer being pretty cheap compared to round up, I usually offer this as a free service to my clients if they let me spray around all buildings & trees. I do this because it cuts my on the job time down tremendously so I end up making more $$ by the hour. I live in south MS and I know what you mean about keeping the weed under control.

[LawnTeam]

YES! I have. it has happened locally. Just this week I started the classes to get certified and got lots of free help from Dof A (but I made the call for help). Message me if you want any of the info. They were very helpful and in a few months I should have my commercial license and turf license. Sorry that happened to you.

[LawnTeam]

Here's an idea. Why don't we all study for the test together? A post a day about what we have studied? they say the best way to learn something is to share or teach it. then we can all have a virtual party, kick our feet up with a beer and know that we did it together. Come on, let's try!

[myblacktruck]

I have a few questions. Is the test the same for every state and what's all involved with getting it started? I've had a lot of calls for spraying this year, and I had to tell them all sorry I'm not licensed or Insured for spraying. It got me thinking hard about getting into spraying. I live in Pa. on the eastern side and don't even know where to begin with any of it. As dry as its been around here there's nothing going on here for the last few weeks, so I'm looking at options for more income to be coming in

[Steve]

A post a day about what we have studied? they say the best way to learn something is to share or teach it.

That is a great idea. I'd say do it.

Is the test the same for every state and what's all involved with getting it started?

For PA. check out this site. http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/p...d=0&palid=113&

It turned into a huge situation in which my customers

Was there any fine at all or were you just issued a warning in the end? Are you going to take the test to get your applicator's license now or what is your plan?

[mark123]

Thanks for the reminder. I've got to put the Dept. of Ag. phone number in my cell phone so that I can call them and report all the unlicensed hacks around here.

[LawnTeam]

I'm in VA. Virginia Tech has a class. I was able to get the books to read and review, since there have been big gaps in when I have been using agricultural chemicals.
Va training is based mostly on national standards. there are some proceedural differences but the safety part is basically the same.

[Godslapper]

Yep that's BS. I've got my C.A. license but all I do is spot treat. I heard of one guy that used 2,4D and some how he killed a lot of grape vines at a wine making place over a mile away. Windy day I guess.

[Fire&LawnRescue]

Originally Posted by jrayb39667

What if you didn't charge for the use of glycophosphate to kill weeds? Would they be able to fine you then? With the cost of this weed killer being pretty cheap compared to round up, I usually offer this as a free service to my clients if they let me spray around all buildings & trees. I do this because it cuts my on the job time down tremendously so I end up making more $$ by the hour. I live in south MS and I know what you mean about keeping the weed under control.

This is actually what I have been doing. However, I am still running the risk of coming across the guy who says, "No, I caught you with it and you are getting fined". Ideally, I would love to be licensed. Working two full time jobs and being a husbans and a son and a friend and trying to have some sort of a life is really limiting my ability to obtain a license that I will actually have to put in some time studying for.