Pesticides

Indoor Pest Applications - Landlord/Tenant Rights & Responsibilities

As a landlord know what to look for when you hire a pest control business to service your rental properties and the types of information that you can get from the company you hire. Your tenants have a right to receive certain information, too.

How to Choose a Pesticide Application Business

When you begin your search for a pesticide application business for indoor pesticide control, ask the prospective company the following questions:

• Do they have a current pesticide application business license, issued by the State of Wisconsin?
  
  
• Are all of their applicators currently licensed and certified by the State?
  
  
• Do their applicators receive additional or ongoing training in pest identification, pest behavior and various pest control methods?
  
  
• Will the applicators regularly inspect and monitor for the pests to determine the severity of the infestation?
  
  
• Will the applicators first try non-pesticide control methods such as improvements in housekeeping or maintenance?
  
  
• If pesticides are needed, will the applicators select the least toxic pesticide?
  
  
• If pesticides are needed, what will they do to minimize the tenants' exposure to pesticides?

Landlord's Right to Information

Once you select and contract with a pest control business, you will have a chance to receive certain written information before the first pesticide application. To protect yourself and your tenants, we recommend that you get this information.

If requested, landlords would be told before the first pesticide application:

• The brand name, the product name or common chemical name of each pesticide that may be used.
  
  
• A copy of the pesticide label for each pesticide that may be applied.
  
  
• The planned date of the application.
  
  
• The name, business address and telephone number of a person who could provide further information about the pesticide application.

After each pesticide treatment, landlords would receive the following information:

• Full name and license number of the pesticide applicator(s).
  
• Specific area treated.
  
  
• Date and approximate starting and ending time of the application.
  
  
• Brand name, product name or common chemical name and the federal environmental protection agency's registration number for each pesticide applied.
  
  
• Amount of pesticide used and area treated or the concentration and total quantity of each pesticide applied.
  
  
• Any needed post-application precautions such as how long to stay out of the treated area.
  
  
• A free copy of the pesticide label or notice that one is available on request.

Tenants Right to Information

Renters also have a right to receive information when their residence is treated with pesticides. Before a pesticide application can be made to your rental property, tenants must be given 12-hours notice as required under the Landlord-Tenant Law except in Madison where 24-hours notice is required.

Wisconsin's pesticide law also requires that pesticide applicators provide residents with certain information at the time of the application. The information must be in writing and it should be left with an adult at the residence or placed near the entrance to the dwelling.

Residents must be told:

• The applicator's name, address and license number.
  
  
• A phone number that the resident can call for more information on the application.
  
  
• The brand name, product name or common chemical name of the pesticide applied.
  
  
• Amount of pesticide used and area treated or the concentration and total quantity of each pesticide applied.
  
  
• Any needed precautions such as how long to stay out of the treated area. If residents cannot enter the treated area, the applicator must also post a warning sign.
  
  
• The date and approximate starting and ending time of the application.
  
  
• Notice that a copy of the label is available upon request.

If a common area is treated for pesticides, such as a laundry room, hallway or stairwell, the applicator must post the required information in a place where all residents are likely to see it.

Questions or Problems

If you believe that a pesticide has been improperly applied or did not receive the proper information or if you suspect a problem, call 608-224-4500 or send an email.