Old North News

The North Carolina Pesticide Board has recently approved several settlement agreements involving cases of pesticide misuse across four counties. These settlements address incidents of unlicensed pesticide applications and improper use and sales in Columbus, Onslow, Union, and Wake counties.

In Columbus County, Hugh Cundiff, an apprentice aerial pesticide applicator for Moore’s Aerial Applicators based in Clinton, agreed to a $1,200 settlement. This agreement follows an incident where a pesticide application intended for a farm field drifted onto a nearby road and residential yard.

Mark A. Capitano from Onslow County, the manager at H&H Landscaping in Swansboro, also settled for $1,200. The case involved conducting business as a pesticide applicator without holding the necessary license.

In Union County, Davis Truesdale faced a $600 settlement. As a licensed pesticide dealer with Ewing Irrigation Supply in Indian Trail, he sold restricted-use pesticides to an applicator whose license had expired.

Two cases were reported in Wake County. Peter Hawkins from Mosquito Authority in Raleigh agreed to pay $600 after applying insecticide to the wrong residential property in Cary. Additionally, Gail Rogers was fined $600 for using mothballs outdoors at her residence contrary to product labeling and state regulations that prohibit negligent use of pesticides.

These settlements reflect the N.C. Pesticide Board's ongoing efforts to enforce compliance with state regulations regarding pesticide use and licensing.