By Stephen Robertson
If you are a certified pesticide applicator in South Dakota, you probably received a message from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) about recent changes to South Dakota private applicator pesticide regulations. Those changes affect the requirements to use M-44 predator-control devices, fumigants, and to apply pesticides from aerial vehicles.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that the above uses of pesticides are exceptionally risky due to the potential consequences of error, including annual human fatalities. The EPA issued new, more-restrictive regulations concerning these applications to address the increased risk associated with these uses. In response, DANR implemented similar regulations to meet those federal regulations as required by law.
Starting January 1, 2025, private pesticide applicators are required to maintain private applicator endorsements to deploy M-44 cyanide devices for controlling predators, use fumigants for any reason (including grain storage and prairie dog control), and to make applications from aerial vehicles (such as planes, helicopters, UAVs, etc.). To obtain either of these endorsements, a private applicator must pass a written exam covering topic material for the specific use. Once received, the endorsements will run congruently with applicator licenses, expiring on the same date, and can be renewed by attending topic-specific training that will be available during the recertification period.