Maintaining accurate records of pesticide-related activities (for example, purchasing, storage, inventory, applications, etc.) is essential. Maryland requires that pesticide application records be maintained for a period of two years and made available to the Maryland Department of Agriculture upon request. The following information must be documented, when applicable:
- name of applicator or consultant
- date of application, recommendation, or pest identification
- pest and type of plant
- acreage or area treated
- address of treated property
- name of property
- common name and EPA registration number of pesticides used or recommended
- rate of concentration of pesticide used or recommended
- total amount of pesticide used
- EPA registration number of the product
- type of equipment used*
- time of day of application*
- wind direction and estimated velocity
- weather conditions at the site when the pesticide was applied* (This information is not required if the application consists of baits in bait stations or if it is indoors or within 3 feet of a structure.)
* Items marked with an asterisk are required to be recorded by commercial applicators, pest control consultants, and public agencies, but are not required for private applicators.
Best Management Practices
- Keep and maintain records of all pesticides used in order to meet legal (federal, state, and local) reporting requirements.
- Use records to monitor pest control efforts and to plan future management actions.
- Use electronic or hard-copy forms and software tools to properly track pesticide inventory and use.
- Develop and implement a pesticide drift management plan.
- Keep a backup set of records in a safe but separate storage area.
