What it requires
- Licensed pest control operators must hold a Pesticide Use Certificate appropriate to the service category (Structural, Industrial Vegetation, Landscape, etc.).
- Application technicians must be certified under the Structural Pesticide Applicator program for most residential/commercial structural work.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methodology is the legal default — chemical intervention is permitted only when non-chemical methods are insufficient.
- Detailed record-keeping of all pesticide applications: product, active ingredient, PCP registration number, application rate, date, location, and applicator.
- Public-space applications (schools, parks, playgrounds) have additional restrictions including notification, setbacks, and time-of-use limits.
- Pesticide use near drinking-water sources is heavily restricted.
Who it affects
- All licensed pest control operators in BC
- Agricultural pesticide users (separate certification required)
- Municipalities applying herbicides on public land
- Homeowners buying over-the-counter Health-Canada-registered products (domestic-class products are available but commercial-class require licensing)
- Hospitals, schools, food facilities, and public institutions
Penalties for violation
Violations range from administrative monetary penalties ($500–$500,000) up to fines of $1 million and/or imprisonment for serious offences. Licensed operators face licence suspension or revocation for significant violations.
How The Wild Pest complies
Our day-to-day practice under this regulation.
The Wild Pest operates under Pesticide Use Certificate (Structural) and each of our technicians holds a current Structural Pesticide Applicator Certification. IPM methodology is our default — we identify the source and conditions driving any pest issue before considering chemical treatment, prioritise exclusion and sanitation fixes, and document every application per IPMA record-keeping requirements. Our records are available on request for audit.