Pesticides

File a Pesticide, Fertilizer, Feed or Seed Complaint

Wisconsin citizens have the right to expect that pesticides will be used properly, that animal feed products are safe and wholesome and that the seed and fertilizer they purchase will be suitable for use. When problems are suspected, citizens have the right to expect that their concerns will be properly investigated. The Agrichemical Management Bureau investigates a wide variety of complaints related to feed, fertilizer, soil and plant additives, seed, lime and pesticides.

Common complaints we investigate include:

• Pesticides that have affected people, plants or animals outside of the area where pesticides were applied such as lawns, agricultural fields or buildings.
• Improper pesticide use or inadequate posting of treated areas such as lawns, landscape areas, agricultural fields or buildings.
• Improperly manufactured or mislabeled feed or fertilizer products.
• Unlicensed firms or persons using pesticides or selling pesticides, feed or fertilizer.

Reporting a Pesticide Complaint

When reporting a pesticide complaint, be sure to include as many facts as possible. Some questions you may be asked are:

• When and where did the suspected violation take place (county, township, street address or fire number)?
• Do you know who made the application or the name of the company?
• What kind of equipment was used to make the application?
• Were there other vehicles involved in the application?
• What was the weather like during the application (including wind speed and direction, or temperature)?
• What problem do you think occurred?
• Was any drift from the application visible to you or is there visible evidence that pesticides moved from the application site?
• Are there any other persons who witnessed the application?

If you suspect problems due to pesticide misuse, you may file a complaint by reporting your concerns to the department at (608) 224-4500. This number is answered between the hours of 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and has a voice mail system for after hours or weekend calls. Be sure to leave a complete telephone number, including area code so we can return your call.

If you are a member of the Landscape Pesticide Advance Notice Registry and you see the red and white warning signs at an address you put on the registry but you did not receive advance notice, call the department's Landscape Registry Hotline at 608-224-5296 as soon as possible. We'll need to know the following information:

• Your name and address.
• The address where the suspected application was made.
• The date of the suspected application.
• The name of the company (printed on the warning sign).

Reporting a Feed Complaint

When reporting a complaint related to animal feed, you may be asked some of the following questions:

• Do you suspect that the feed caused an animal(s) illness or death?

NOTE: If you suspect that a food animal (dairy or beef cattle, poultry, pigs, sheep) has been poisoned, please see our Toxic Response (animal poisoning) information.

• Have you contacted your veterinarian?
• Do you still have the animal feed/pet food, or the container, bag or product label?
• Where did you purchase the animal feed/pet food?
• How long have you been using the feed/food?

If you suspect problems due to animal feed, you may file a complaint by reporting your concerns to the department at (608) 224-4500. This number is answered between the hours of 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and has a voice mail system for after hours or weekend calls. Be sure to leave a complete telephone number, including area code so we can return your call.

Reporting a Seed or Fertilizer Complaint

When reporting a complaint related to plant seed or fertilizer, you may be asked some further questions:

• Why do you suspect there are problems with the seed or fertilizer you purchased or used?
• Do you still have the seed or fertilizer product, or the container, bag or product label?
• Where did you purchase the seed or fertilizer product?

If you suspect problems due to problems with seed or fertilizer, you may file a complaint by reporting your concerns to the department at (608) 224-4500. This number is answered between the hours of 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and has a voice mail system for after hours or weekend calls. Be sure to leave a complete telephone number, including area code so we can return your call.