Some neonicotinoids are state restricted use

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry sent this bulletin at 04/05/2023 04:20 PM EDT

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Board of Pesticides Control

Attention Pesticide Dealers and Applicators

In September 2022 BPC rules became effective making certain neonicotinoids state restricted pesticides. As of that effective date General Use Pesticide dealers were prohibited from selling these products.

Neonicotinoids - dinotefuran, clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam- may only be sold by Restricted Use Pesticide Dealers and may only be purchased by Maine licensed Private and Commercial applicators.

If you are a general use pesticide dealer with any of these products in stock they may not be offered for sale. Please contact your distributor and ask to return the product or dispose of the products via a hazardous waste disposal company. Contact the BPC Compliance Manager, Alexander.R.Peacock@maine.gov, with additional questions about disposal.

List of restricted use neonicotinoid products

All pesticides containing dinotefuran, clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam are prohibited from use by all persons in outdoor residential landscapes such as lawn, turf, and ornamental vegetation. Exemptions from this rule include products for preserving wood, controlling or treating indoor pests, and controlling or treating insects outside around structural foundations. Additionally, there are exemptions from these restrictions for licensed individuals treating specific "emerging invasive invertebrate pests" on ornamental vegetation. Applicators wanting to use products with these active ingredients may also apply for emergency use permits if an emergency situation arises. For more information regarding this rule and definitions, visit BPC’s website.

This action was taken in response to legislation passed by the 130th Maine Legislature. The bill enacting these restrictions, LD 155, Resolve, Directing the Board of Pesticides Control To Prohibit the Use of Certain Neonicotinoids for Outdoor Residential Use (RESLV Chapter 33), was intended to restrict homeowner and licensed applicator use in residential landscape settings of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Steps to become a restricted use pesticide dealer:

  • pass the written dealer exam with a score of 80 or higher to become certified,
  • apply for restricted use pesticide dealer license ($60 for three-year license), and
  • earn nine continuing education credits during licensure

Finally, the complete language for this rule can be found in CMR 01-26 Chapter 41.

Please contact BPC staff with questions at pesticides@maine.gov or 207-287-2731.