What is required to legally apply a pesticide for an unregistered pest problem?

To legally apply a pesticide for an unregistered pest problem, obtaining an emergency exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is necessary. This exemption allows users to apply a pesticide that is not generally registered for a specific pest under specific conditions and for a limited time frame. Emergency exemptions are typically granted when there are no effective registered pesticides available to manage an urgent pest problem, and they help to ensure that pest management can continue while still adhering to safety and regulatory standards.

This process involves demonstrating that the pest poses a significant threat and that the unregistered pesticide will be used in a way that minimizes potential risks to human health and the environment. The emergency exemption is a crucial measure to provide flexibility in pest management while maintaining regulatory compliance. In contrast, applying a special license or custom permit is generally used for other pesticide-related applications, while prior notification to the EPA does not typically apply in the context of unregistered pest management but rather relates to reporting and compliance issues.