Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner    -    Anderson H. (Andy) Rackley, Director

Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control

Overview

The Bureau’s mission is to protect the health and safety of the State’s consumers and environment through effective mosquito control and pest control regulation. This includes work to improve the quality of industry services provided to consumers and to reduce the hazards associated with unlicensed and unsafe pest control practices. The Bureau assists in assuring compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Pest Control Section regulates and licenses the pest control industry under the State’s Structural Pest Control Act, Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, and Rule Chapter 5E-14, Florida Administrative Code. The Mosquito Control Section oversees and regulates the State’s mosquito control program requirements under Chapter 388, Florida Statutes, and Rule Chapter 5E-13, Florida Administrative Code.

  • Pest Control Section - The Pest Control Section regulates and licenses the pest control industry under the authority of the Structural Pest Control Act, Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, and the associated Rules, Chapter 5E-14, Florida Administrative Code.  The Pest Control Section consists of the Document Issuance, Enforcement, and the Examination/Certification Subsections.
  • Mosquito Control Section - The Mosquito Control Section administers the mosquito control program under the authority of the Mosquito Control Act, Chapter 388, Florida Statutes, and the associated Rules, Chapter 5E-13, Florida Administrative Code.

Hot Topics

  • ONLINE CERTIFICATION RENEWAL - If you received a renewal notice in the mail and in a renewal period, you will need the renewal notice to complete the online Certificate Renewal. The Certificate Renewal web page will allow Certified Operator Certificate licensees (JF) and Special Identification Cardholders (JD) to renew their licenses online and pay with a credit card for the 2012 renewal period.  Click on the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services License Renewal Web Site to renew your JF or JD license online.  New Information

  • NOTE TO PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE LIMITED COMMERCIAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE - The Limited certification for commercial wildlife management personnel as authorized by Chapter 482.157, Florida Statutes, is currently NOT available (as of March 1, 2012).  It is ANTICIPATED that the credential will be available by July 1, 2012.  Although the LW certification is only required for trapping rats and mice in structures, the Department encourages and recommends that persons commercially trapping nuisance wildlife (i.e. raccoons, opossums, armadillos, skunks, squirrels) in structures to also obtain this certification.  The exam study manual as well as a significant number of exam questions will relate specifically to nuisance wildlife making the LW certification an appropriate credential.New Information

"What's the hold up?"

Answer:  We are in the final phase associated with adding a new certificate type to our licensing program.  The exam reference manual and examination questions for the Limited Wildlife Certification are in final edits with the University of Florida/IFAS.  As soon as these two items are completed, we will be able to begin issuing these certificates.

"Is a person required to get a LW certificate for trapping raccoons, opossums, armadillos, skunks, etc., on a person's property?"

Answer:  NO, that's under FWC regulations (which currently only requires the written permission of the property owner).

"Is a person required to get a LW certificate for trapping raccoons, opossums, armadillos, skunks, etc., in, on or under a structure?"

Answer:  NO, that's under FWC regulations (which currently only requires written permission of the property owner).  HOWEVER, if the person was trapping rats/mice they WOULD need our certificate.

"Now that limited wildlife Cert. will be available does this mean, from now on, to trap rats, mice, raccoons, etc., a P C O  will be required to have Limited Wildlife to trap?"

Answer:  NO, PCOs are authorized under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, to conduct RODENT CONTROL and are not required to have LW to trap.

"IF a PCO gets a LW certificate, can he/she begin trapping raccoons, opossums, armadillos, skunks, etc., on a person's property (including in, on or under.)"

Answer:  Yes, a PCO can obtain a certificate, but trapping wildlife such as raccoons, opossums, armadillos, skunks, etc., is under FWC regulations (which currently only requires written permission of the property owner).

  • NOTE TO PERSONS INTERESTED IN PEST CONTROL CUSTOMER CONTACT CENTERS - The Customer Contact Center license, as authorized by Chapter 482.072, Florida Statutes, is currently NOT available (as of March 1, 2012).  It is ANTICIPATED that the credential will be available by by July 1, 2012.  We are in the testing phase associated with adding a new certificate type to our licensing program.  As long as the testing proceeds smoothly, then we'll be finalizing the new license process during May/June of 2012.  New Information

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