The Board of Pesticides Control wants to keep you informed on issues that may affect you. We welcome your input and feedback. Please send your comments to pesticides@maine.gov.
October 13, 2023 at 9:00 AM in Room 101 of the Deering Building located at 90 Blossom Lane in Augusta. This will be a hybrid meeting. For more information, visit the Board Meetings Page.
Upcoming Credit Meetings
The following program has been approved for pesticide recertification credits. More recertification opportunities may be found on the BPC Credit Calendar.
The Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has confirmed the presence of mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) in the state. Following this discovery, the DACF received over 150 notifications from alert Mainers regarding mile-a-minute weed. All but two of the reports turned out to be other species. A handy photo identification document is available.
Mile-a-minute weed is a fast-growing invasive vine native to India, Asia, and the Philippine Islands. Mile-a-minute weed derives its name from its astonishing growth rate of up to 6 inches per day or 25 feet in six to eight weeks. The vine poses a significant threat to yards, gardens, nurseries, natural areas, and agricultural lands, as it can smother young plants and trees under its dense growth.
The first confirmed occurrence of mile-a-minute weed in Maine was made at a private residence in Boothbay Harbor, where the alert landowner reported finding a mile-a-minute weed plant while cleaning up weeds that came with newly installed landscape plants. The subsequent finds have been reported from Winthrop and Islesboro. This invasive species is one of 33 plants listed on the DACF’s do-not-sell list, notorious for hitchhiking on nursery stock and spreading rapidly.
Invasive species like mile-a-minute weed have the potential to cause severe harm to Maine’s environment and economy. As part of our commitment to controlling and eradicating this invasive plant, the DACF urges the public to report any potential sightings promptly. If you encounter a vine resembling mile-a-minute weed, please visit the Maine Natural Areas webpage for identification information.
If the plant matches the description, we encourage you to take photos, note the location, and report the finding via email to Invasives.MNAP@maine.gov or call (207) 287-7545.
Image by Todd Mervosh, CT Agricultural Experiment Station
Enforcement Information
Aquatic herbicides – Aquatic herbicides and many pond dyes are designated restricted use pesticides in the State of Maine. These herbicides may only be sold and distributed by licensed restricted use pesticide dealers to properly licensed commercial applicators. Most aquatic herbicide applications require a Waste Discharge License (WDL) issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Use of aquatic herbicides without proper licensing and permits is a violation state pesticide law. For more information visit our aquatic herbicides website.
Mold and Mildew remediation – Just like chemicals used to control insects on the farm or weeds in your lawn, disinfectant and biocide products that control mold, bacteria, viruses, and other organisms are pesticides. Although these chemicals provide obvious benefits ridding homes, schools, and office buildings of disease-causing organisms, they also pose risks to people and the environment. Sometimes, the lessons of risk are learned too late.
Because of these potential risks, Maine law requires licensing of anyone who applies these pesticides to remediate a mold or microbial growth problem. This licensing requirement applies to anyone hired to treat microbial problems or anyone who does these treatments in areas open to the public. Custodial or maintenance workers who only use these products as part of a routine cleaning operation are exempt from licensing.
Obsolete Pesticide Collections
The Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provide citizens with a responsible, free solution to their obsolete pesticide problem. Once a year, these agencies collect obsolete pesticides brought to sites across Maine. The materials are then shipped to out-of-state disposal facilities. Banned pesticides and pesticides that have become caked, frozen or otherwise rendered unusable can be accepted. The program is available to homeowners as well as non-corporate/family-owned farmers and greenhouse operators. Registration for the events is due September 29, 2023.
Please visit the Obsolete Pesticide Collection webpage for more information, registration forms, and contact information.
For commercial applicators and dealers, it’s important to be aware of obsolete pesticide inventory. In most cases, the best course of action to get rid of excess pesticides is to contact the manufacturer or contract for hazardous waste removal by a company. There are many hazardous waste removal companies offering services in Maine. For more information, you can contact pesticides@maine.gov for guidance on commercial removal of obsolete pesticides.
Maine State Government is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
