Pesticide Application Laws

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Lawn care professionals will advise you that that now is the time for fertilizing and applying pesticides. Lawyers will tell you that there are actually laws governing pest control and other lawn services.

In many states, before pesticides can be applied to a lawn, a homeowner needs to receive a written contract from the pesticide applicator specifying what products and services will be provided and how much you have to pay for them. Even if your state law doesn't mandate it, you should ask for one because pesticides including weed and insect controls used on lawns, trees, and gardens are potentially dangerous, so you should know what's going on your lawn and when to prevent your kids or pets from playing on it.

You should also ask the number of applications you'll need over the course of the year, the dates of application, and the total cost. Better you seem like the pest ahead of time than that you put your kids or pets in danger later.