In Tennessee, commercial pest control businesses that apply pesticides are required to post a surety bond to the Department of Agriculture to comply with the Pesticides Act of 1978. This surety bond guarantees the correct application of pesticides by licensed operators. Additionally, that the pest control company will follow the guidelines of any written contract they are entering into. Bond amounts will vary depending on the License Categories being applied for.
The following bond types require a $50,000 surety bond for the first three years in business. On the fourth year, the bond amount will decrease to $10,000.
- Bird Control (BDC)– The control of bird pests through the use of pesticides. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C07) Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Control.
- Fumigation – Structural (FUM)– The control of pests by application of a gas. This category includes pesticides that are in a solid or liquid state when handled or applied but which turn to gas upon being dispensed. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C07) Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Control.
- General Pest and Rodent Control (GRC)– The control of vertebrate and invertebrate pests that invade or are normally known to invade a structure, and which are not specifically covered by other categories of licenses described herein. Applications for this license must be certified in (C07) Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Control.
- Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO)– The control of termites, various wood borers, carpenter bees, carpenter ants and decay, without regard to the type or use of structure involved. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C07) Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Control.
The following bond types require a $10,000 surety bond:
- Agricultural – Ground Equipment (AGE)– The control of agricultural pests by means other than fumigation. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C01) Agricultural Plant Pest Control.
- Aquatic Pest Control (APC)– The control of aquatic plants and algae through the application of pesticides. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C05) Aquatic Pest Control.
- Forest Pest Control (FPC)– The control of tree pests and diseases in institutional and non-agricultural locations. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C02) Forest Pest Control.
- Fumigation – Soil (FUS) – The control of agricultural pests found in the soil by application of a gas. This category includes pesticides that are in a solid or liquid state when handled or applied but which turn to gas upon being dispensed. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C01) Agricultural Plant Pest Control.
- Horticultural – Interior (HRI)– The control of plant pests and diseases. This category applies to residential and commercial locations, but does not include greenhouses. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C03) Ornamental and Turf Pest Control.
- Horticulture – Lawn and Turf (HLT)– The control of pests and diseases of shrubs, trees, lawns and other turf grasses. This category includes non-agricultural locations such as residential and commercial lawns and landscapes, parks and athletic fields. These pests include, but are not limited to, bagworms, grubs, moles, voles, scale insects, weeds and diseases of turf, ornamental trees and shrubs, or others similar in nature. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C03) Ornamental and Turf Pest Control.
- Pest Control Consultant (PCC)– A graduate of an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in the field of pest control in which consultation is offered. A license in this category does not qualify the holder to conduct pest control operations.
- Public Health Mosquito Control (PHMC)– The management of mosquitoes, in all stages of their development, on public land and public waters. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C08) Public Health Pest Control.
- Weed Control – Right of Way and Industrial (WEC)– The control of plants, whether woody or herbaceous, by the application of chemicals generally classed as herbicides, to industrial sites and rights-of-way such as, but not limited to, highways, transmission lines, drainage ditches, etc. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C06) Right-of-Way Pest Control.
- Wood Preservatives (WPC)– The control of insects, fungi, marine borers and the effects of weather on wood products at the manufacturing or distribution stage that may damage or degrade the wood. Applicants for this license must be certified in (C11) Wood Preservation Pest Control.
- Special (SPC) – The control of pests in special situations by methods not included in the other license categories listed above. These licenses may or may not require an examination at the discretion of the Board and are limited to specific pesticide uses and situations as determined by the Board.
Pacific Surety offers industry low rates and can obtain approvals for almost all credit situations. Once our simple application has been completed, we can have pricing to you within hours. If you have any specific questions, please contact our knowledgeable underwriting staff.