Ans. If an employee of a residential building’s owner or management company is to apply restricted-use pesticides (as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) to occupied units or buildings, the employee must be licensed either as a certified commercial applicator or a technician. However, if an individual is the owner of, or is an owner in a partnership or joint venture interest which owns the building, that individual may apply pesticides to the building without a license.

Ans. Before an apartment building with more than five units can be treated, Texas law requires that occupants of the building be notified at least 48 hours in advance. This can be accomplished by either posting a sign in a common area, or leaving the required pest control information sheet on the front doors of, or in a conspicuous place inside, each unit.

Ans. Significant penalties can be enforced by TDA for violations of the pest control laws. For example, civil penalties can be levied in amounts ranging from $50 to $1,000 per violation, and violations are also considered criminal misdemeanors punishable by fines of $50 to $200 per occurrence.