Petitioner: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Respondent: TOTAL CONTROL TERMITE AND PEST PROFESSIONALS, INC. (JB109040), AND MR. NICHOLAS EARL LUCAS (JF214379), CERTIFIED OPERATOR IN-CHARGE OF FUMIGATION
Judges: ANDREW D. MANKO
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Locations: Sarasota, Florida
Filed: Jan. 13, 2021
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
Latest Update: Dec. 22, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AND CONSUMER SERVICES,
Petitioner,
Agency Clerk # B26861
Agency Clerk # B26863
BLE Case # 320-201-5024 TC
Total Control Termite and Pest Professionals, Inc. (J B109040),
and Mr. Nicholas Earl Lucas (JF214379), Certified Operator In-Charge of Fumigation
Respondent.
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ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Comes now, Petitioner, The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(“Department”), and hereby charges Respondents via Administrative Complaint alleging the
following violations of Chapter 482, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Rule SE-14, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.):
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Department), Bureau of Inspection and
Incident Response (BIIR), initiated an investigation of Total Control Termite and Pest
Professionals, Inc. JB109040, (“Total”), in response to written directive 320-201-5024, regarding
Respondents fumigation practices and fumigation clearance devices.
COUNT 1
Section 5E-14.106(1), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), states:
“It shall be unlawful to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label and
labeling.” [emphasis added].
The label for Zythor Gas Fumigant, under “Zythor Release”, requires:
“Two persons trained in the use of Zythor, at least one of who is an applicator licensed/certified to
perform fumigations by the state in which the application is being performed, must be present on
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Site during initiation of the initial aeration procedure. (Aeration procedures may vary significantly
by state according to state regulations. Consult your state regulator for more guidance on this
important subject.)”
Section 5E-14.108(2), F.A.C., states:
“... he second person shall be a certified fumigation operator, a special identification cardholder, or
an identification cardholder with a Fumigation Identification Card endorsement on the employee
identification card, which may be obtained as provided in subsection 5E-14.1421(5), F.A.C. Two
(2) trained persons shall be present at each fumigation site for the introduction of the fumigant,
entry during fumigation, and from the start of aeration (first opening of the seal) until the active
aeration period with all operable doors and windows open, if required by the fumigant label, is
completed and the structure is secured for the remaining aeration period...”
During its investigation, Department inspectors reviewed company records which revealed
Respondents repeatedly directed and/or designated employees, that either did not have the
Fumigation Identification Card (FID) or who’s required FID training was not up to date, to be the
second “trained” person on site for fumigation set-up and break-down procedures (gas set-
up/introduction/shoot, pic removal, aeration procedures, etc). Analysis of Respondents records
indicates a total of 1,636 times that untrained or under-credentialed personnel were used in
fumigation phases requiring the presence of two (2) trained individuals from September 2019
through May 2020.
The Department finds that Respondents violated Sections 5E-14.106(1) and SE-14.108(2)
because it did not have a second trained individual at its fumigation sites when required to do so
by the label.
COUNT 2
Section 5E-14.106(1), F.A.C., states:
“It shall be unlawful to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label and
labeling” [emphasis added].
The label for Zythor Gas Fumigant states:
“Two persons trained in the use of Zythor, at least one of who is an applicator licensed/certified to
perform fumigations by the state in which the application is being performed, must be present on
site during initiation of the initial aeration procedure. (Aeration procedures may vary significantly
by state according to state regulations. Consult your state regulator for more guidance on this
important subject.)”
Section 5E-14.108(1) & (2), F.A.C., state:
“(1) Each general fumigation (subsection SE-14.102(4), F_A.C.) shall be personally directed,
supervised and performed by a certified fumigation operator or personally by a special fumigation
identification card holder authorized by the Department and desi gnated by and under the direction
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and supervision of the certified fumigation operator in charge (Section 482.151, F.S.). Such
certified fumigation operator or his designated special fumigation identification card holder shall be
available and on call at all times during the fumigation period (subsection 5E-14.102(3), F.A.C.) of
each general fumigation (subsection SE-14.102(4), F -A.C.) job in progress.”
“(2) Whenever the presence of two (2) persons trained in the use of the fumigant is required by the
fumigant label, at least one of these persons must be either a certified operator of fumigation or a
designated special identification fumigation cardholder... The certified operator in charge of
fumigation or his designated special identification cardholder shall be present at those times
required by the fumigant label or by subsections SE-14.108(1), SE-14.111(4), 5E-14.112(1) and 5E-
14.1131), (2), F.A.C.”
Section 5E-14.102(3) and (4), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), state:
(3) “Fumigation period” — Period of time from application of fumigant(s) until the ventilation of
structure is completed, and the structure is declared safe for occupancy.
(4) “General fumigation” — Application of fumigant(s) to one (1) or more rooms or their contents in
a structure or to entire structure; or to commodities under gas-tight sheets or tarpaulins.”
Department inspectors hand-delivered a Request for Information for fumigation logs including
September 3, 2019 through February 29, 2020, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
service records and invoices from 2019 and 2020, and additional fumigations logs for other date
ranges. Review of the Fumigation Logs provided by Respondents revealed that there were
numerous occasions where a SPID or clearing SPID was in ‘multiple locations’ at the same time.
The Department finds that Respondents violated Sections 5E-14. 106(1) and 5E-14.108(1) & (2),
when it failed to have a Certified Pest Control Operator (CPO) or Special ID Card (SPID) holder
present at each fumigation site for gas introduction and/or initial aeration procedures, as required
by the label.
COUNT 3
Section 5E-14.108(3), F.A.C.., states:
“It shall be the duty of the certified operator in charge of fumigation to carry out the following:
(a) Train and/or verify training to each special fumigation identification cardholder in proper
fumigation procedures as required by regulations and fumigant label directions, and to know the
location, purpose, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment and fumigant detection
and safety devices and when and how to use this equipment.
(b) Train each identification cardholder, assigned to fumigation work, in basic fumigation
procedures, SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) use and the proper use of fumigant safety
equipment and to report immediately to the certified operator in charge or his special fumigation
identification cardholder any irregularities or emergencies.”
Section SE-14.108(9), F.A.C., states:
“Licensees performing fumigations with a residential fumigant must agree to, in writing, and be in
compliance with the Stewardship Policy requirements for the residential fumigant used, including
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having completed all training and quality assurance review(s) required under the relevant
Stewardship Policy. New fumigation employees must receive Initial Stewardship Training on the
residential fumigant(s) used by the licensee within 60-days of their first day of employment by the
licensee, if the new fumigation employee did not receive that stewardship training earlier in the
calendar year. Current employees of the licensee who transition to working as fumigation
employees must receive Annual Stewardship Training on residential fumigant(s) used by the
licensee within 60 days of receiving their new identification cards (e.g. as a certified operator for
fumigation, a special identification cardholder, or an ID cardholder with a fumigation endorsement)
if they did not receive that stewardship training earlier in the calendar year.”
On March 24, 2020, Mr. Jonathan Beeman, former employee (JE246226) of Total, provided
information regarding alleged safety concerns related to fumigations being performed by Total. In
his affidavit he alleged that the firm was sending untrained personnel to handle all phases of
fumigation without proper training or supervision. Mr. Beeman indicated that he was instructed by
COIC Lucas to shorten the 1-hour active aeration requirements.
A review of recent FID applications submitted by Respondent show that online affidavits were
completed for Zackary Holbine (JE285402) and Ashle Burch (JE260263) with FID effective dates
of 6/8/20. Records indicate Mr. Holbine has never attended an Ensystex Zythor Stewardship
Training, and Mr. Burch last attended Ensystex Zythor Stewardship Training on 3/6/19. Records
received from Ensystex further detail that Holbine and Burch did not attend a Ensystex Zythor
Stewardship Training within 60-days of submitting their online affidavits.
The Department finds that the Respondents violated Section 5E-14.108(3) and (9), F.A.C., for
failing to ensure/verify training for each current FID cardholder in proper fumigation procedures
and failing to consistently obtain such training within 60-days of obtaining a new FID card for
employees.
COUNT 4
Section 5E-14.108(6), F.A.C. states:
“When crew members are present on the fumigation site, two properly functioning, positive
pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) must be available at the fumigation site at all
times when the structure is under fumigation (fumigant release, exposure period, aeration and at
other times when state law or the fumigant label requires the use or presence of a SCBA).”
On March 24, 2020, Mr. Beeman indicated he took jobs down without being provided air for his
SCBA but was instructed my COIC Lucas to “always wear the SCBA anyway in case someone
was watching”. He also stated that a co-worker of his at the time, and SPID holder, Mr. Jason
LaForge was exposed to sulfuryl fluoride on July 11, 2018, during the active aeration phase of a
fumigation being conducted at 2206 Iowa Avenue in Bradenton, Florida after entering the structure
without air in his SCBA.
On September 10, 2020, Mr. Jason LaForge, JE231514 (FID issued May 15, 2018), former
employee of Total, provided an affidavit, stating that he would often be working without a true
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functioning SCBA due to lack of air supply. He was told by Respondent that they would get the
air, but it had been delayed for some time.
The Department finds that the Respondents violated Sections SE-14.106(1) and SE-14.108(6),
F.A.C., when they failed to have properly functioning SCBAs on site at all times when structures
were under fumigation, specifically on multiple occasions when employees were entering a
fumigated space.
COUNT 5
Section 5E-14.106(1), F.A.C, states:
“It shall be unlawful to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label and
labeling.” [emphasis added].
The label for Zythor Gas Fumigant states:
Respiratory Protection Requirements During Reentry/Aeration/Clearance -
The processes of aeration and clearance of the fumigated space require entry into the fumigated
space while the level of Zythor in the air within the breathing zone of the fumigated space still
exceeds | ppm. All persons entering and/or remaining inside the fumigated space between the
time of initial application of Zythor to the fumigated space and final clearance of the fumigated
space must adhere to the requirements of the Respiratory Protection, Respiratory Protection
Devices and Low Fumigant Level Detection Devices sections of the Zythor label and this manual.
These sections are repeated below from earlier in this manual for emphasis.
Respiratory Protection - Use of an approved Respiratory Protection Device (see Respiratory
Protection Devices) is required to enter or remain within a fumigated space anytime the
concentration of Zythor within the breathing zone of that space is known to exceed 1 ppm or is
unknown, such as at the start of the aeration process.
If the concentration of Zythor within the breathing zone of the fumigated space, as measured by
an approved and properly calibrated Low Fumigant Level Detection Device (see Low F; umigant
Level Detection Devices), does not exceed 1 ppm, no respiratory protection is required to enter or
remain within the fumigated space. Because the approved detection devices give immediate
readings of the levels of fumigant present, respiratory protection is not required when these
devices are in use after the initial 1-hour aeration procedure is completed. However, whenever a
fumigant level reading exceeding 1 ppm is obtained within the breathing zone of a fumigated
space, anyone within the fumigated space not using an approved Respiratory Protection Device
must immediately leave the fumigated space and remain outside the fumigated space until
fumigant level readings of 1 ppm or greater are no longer obtained within the fumigated space.
The fumigated space must remain posted until cleared for re-occupancy.
Respiratory Protection Devices - Use a NIOSH or MSHA approved positive pressure Self-
Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA, not SCUBA) or combination air supplied/SCBA
respirator, such as those manufactured by Ranger, Survivair, Scott, or MSA, when respiratory
protection is required (see Respiratory Protection). Required Respiratory Protection Devices
must be on site and operational before an application of Zythor begins. Before using any make or
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brand of Respiratory Protection Device, learn how to use it correctly. Determine that it is in good
working order, that it has an air supply sufficient to supply air for the period of time the device
will be in use, that it fits properly and that it provides an adequate seal around the face.”
On September 10, 2020, Mr. LaForge, JE231514, confirmed that on July 11, 2018, Respondents
directed him and he went into a structure located at 2206 Iowa Avenue wearing an SCBA without
sufficient air, and subsequently experienced ill health effects which resulted in him going to the
hospital for treatment.
The Department finds that the Respondents violated Section SE-14.106(1), F.A.C., on July 11,
2018, when they directed Mr. Jason LaForge, former employee and SPID cardholder
(JE231514), to perform aeration procedures without a properly functioning SCBA.
COUNT 6
Section 482.152(6), F.S., states:
A certified operator’s “principal duty shall include the responsibility for the personal supervision
of and participation in the pest control activities at the business location of the licensee as the same
relate to:
(6) The notification of the department of any accidental human poisoning or death connected with
pest control work performed on a job she or he is supervising, within 24 hours after she or he has
knowledge of the poisoning or death.”
After Mr. LaForge, JE231514, was exposed to sulfuryl fluoride and admitted to the hospital on
July 11, 2018, Respondents failed to report the occurrence of human poisoning to the Department
within 24 hours.
The Department finds that Mr. Nicholas Earl Lucas, (JF214379), Fumigation Certified Operator
in Charge for Total Control Termite and Pest Professionals, Inc. (JB109040), is in violation of
Section 482.152(6), F.S, for failure to notify the Department within 24 hours of Mr. Jason
LaForge’s, JE231514, human poisoning and resulting hospitalization.
COUNT 7
Section 5E-14.106(1), F.A.C.., states:
“It shall be unlawful to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label and
labeling.” [emphasis added].
Under “Aeration” the Zythor label states:
“Clearance involves sampling the air within the breathing zone of the fumigated space with an
approved and properly calibrated Low Fumigant Level Detection Device until readings given by
320-201-5024 TC
the detection device indicate that the fumigant is no longer above 1 PPM within the breathing zone
of the fumigated space.”
Aeration - The final step in using Zythor is to remove it from within the fumigated space
(aeration) and to confirm its absence from the breathing zone of the fumigated space after the
completion of the aeration process (clearance).
Clearance involves sampling the air within the breathing zone of the fumigated space with an
approved and properly calibrated Low Fumigant Level Detection Device until readings given by the
detection device indicate that fumigant is no longer present above 1 ppm within the breathing zone
of the fumigated space.
Section 5E-14.108(7), F.A.C., states:
Each business licensee location performing fumigation must own at least two, label-approved,
clearance devices so that at all times, a licensee has access to a properly functioning clearance
device which must be calibrated in accordance with either the device manufacturer or the fumigant
label directions, whichever is more restrictive.
On March 4, 2020, Department inspectors confirmed that Spectros SF-ExplorIR clearance devices
belonging to Total (units VR1000 and LV1008) were dropped off for calibration at EB & S
Solutions, an authorized service provider for Spectros Instruments, and showed evidence of use,
and exposure to fumigant, well after their calibration verification cycles had expired.
The VR1000 unit expired on 9/7/19. It arrived for service on 2/20/20 about 5-months overdue. The
unit’s parts per million (PPM) log/videos showed exposure to sulfuryl fluoride after the expired date.
The unit also showed faults/errors after the expired date. The LV1008 unit expired on 9/7/18. It
arrived for service on 2/20/20 approximately 17 months overdue. It had been powered up 1,140 times
since the last service on 9/7/17. The unit’s PPM log showed exposure to sulfuryl fluoride as recent as
2/2/20, likely indicating it was used in an expired state to clear a job. The unit also showed faults
after the expired date.
Fumigation logs from early September 2019 through the end of F ebruary 2020 were reviewed
during this investigation and confirmed the use of both uncalibrated clearance devices subsequent
to their expiration dates
The Department finds that the Respondents violated Section SE-14.106(1), F.A.C., for allowing
two uncalibrated and faulty clearance devices to be used in clearance(s) of fumigated structures.
COUNT 8
Section SE-14.142(1), (2) and (3), F.A.C., state:
“(1) Records: Pest control records of the licensee pertaining to pest control activities and including
contracts shall be kept at the licensed business location or at the exact Florida address specified in
the application for business license for inspection by department inspectors for a minimum of two
years. Additionally, routine operational records containing information on product brands (names),
amounts, uses, dates, and places of application of restricted-use pesticides shall be kept at the
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licensed business location for a minimum of two years. Records kept electronically must be
provided to the department upon request. Licensees operating in the category of fumigation shall
record this information above along with the individual fumigant cylinder identification number
utilized to fumigate a structure. Records for preventive treatment of subterranean termites in new
construction shall be maintained for a minimum of three years pursuant to Section 482.05 1(5), F.S.
(2) Pest control business licensees, certified operators, or employees of the licensee must supply
any information that supports application(s) or form(s) filed with the department and shall permit
authorized department representatives to view any such records upon written request.
(3) Licensees performing fumigation with a residential fumigant, their employees, certified
operators, and special identification cardholders shall comply with the label requirements and
Stewardship Policy requirements of the residential fumigant being used.
(a) In addition, the following safety procedures shall be followed to enhance safety in the clearance
of structures fumigated with a residential fumigant. The certified operator for the contracted
licensee shall maintain records relating to the fumigation clearance of structures fumigated with a
residential fumigant. Such records shall consist of the following information for each application:
|. Name and license number of the licensee responsible for the fumigant application;
2. Name of the person who applied the fumigant;
3. Date and time of the following: fumigant introduction, start of aeration, completion of aeration,
and final testing for clearance;
4. Location of treatment site;
5. Detailed information relating to each label required clearance period including names of
employees and personnel involved and start and stop times;
6. Total volume (cubic feet or other appropriate units) of the fumigated space;
7. Brand name or EPA registration number of the pesticide product applied; and,
8. Total amount in pounds or ounces, of fumigant and warning agent applied.
(b) Licensees or applicators operating in the category of fumigation shall use the Fumigation Log,
(FDACS-13000, 01/17), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available
online at http://www .flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07904, while onsite. Licensees or
applicators operating in the category of fumigation pursuant to Section 482.11 1(2)(a), F.S., may use
an alternative fumigation log form only if it incorporates all information required to be recorded in
the current Fumigation Log, (FDACS-13000, 01/17). All licensees performing fumigation shall
retain any records relating to the fumigation required by this rule for a period of two (2) years from
the date of the fumigation. Upon request by the department, the licensee or certified operator in
charge shall make available the records required to be maintained under this rule and shall permit
the authorized representative to copy or photograph any of the records. The original records shall be
maintained by the licensee.”
Respondents’ Fumigation logs from early September 2019 through the end of February 2020 were
reviewed during this investigation and confirmed that there were numerous fumigation logs with
an incorrect clearance device number (493 times), or no clearance device number at all (277
times).
Additional fumigation logs and Notice(s) of Fumigation (NOFs) showing data through May 18,
2020 were also reviewed as part of the investigation. These logs contained a number of other
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fumigation log and label violations. In all, there were 8,572 fumigation log violations noted during
this review. Based on this review, it was also determined that the Department had received 83
Notices of Fumigation (NOFs) that Total did not provide fumigation log records for.
The Department finds that Respondents violated Section 5E-14. 142(1), (2), G)(a)&(b), F.A.C.,
for failing to keep accurate and complete Fumigation Logs, (FDACS-13000, 01/17), for multiple
fumigations performed by the licensee from early September 2019 through the end of February
2020.
COUNT 9
Section 5E-14.106(1), F.A.C., states:
“It shall be unlawful to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label and
labeling.” {emphasis added].
Section SE-14.113(1), F.A.C., states:
“(1) The certified operator in charge or his designated special fumigation identification card
holder shall personally determine by using label-approved gas-detecting devices, verified and/or
calibrated as required by either the device manufacturer or the fumigant label directions,
whichever is more restrictive, that the entire structure or enclosed space fumigated, and also
including beds and bedding therein, has been safely ventilated as required by fumigant label
directions, to permit safe human entry and occupancy or reoccupancy. No person, other than the
certified fumigation operator in charge, his designated special fumigation identification
cardholder, or trained identification cardholder, utilizing the label-approved respiratory protective
equipment or gas detecting device, may enter, occupy or reoccupy the fumigated structure for any
reason prior to completion of the aeration procedure(s) and declaration of clearance. All warning
agent containers shall be removed from the structure. In no instance shall ventilation or aeration
time be less than that recommended by manufacturer of fumigant on the registered label.”
The Zythor Label, under “Clearance” states:
Only when certain periods of time (see Aeration Procedures below) have elapsed after the initiation
of the aeration process and the level of fumigant remaining is confirmed at the end of those time
periods to no longer exceed 1 ppm in the breathing zone of the fumigated space can final clearance
for re-occupancy be given...
The Zythor Label, under “Aeration Preparation and Safety”:
Aeration is a time to apply maximum attention to safety. The start of the initial aeration
period is probably the point of greatest potential danger during a fumigation. The goal of
any aeration should be to remove the sulfuryl fluoride from the fumigated space and
discharge it into the atmosphere while minimizing its impact on any non-target organism.
The Zythor Label, under “Aeration Procedure 1 — Applied Dose 16 02/1000 cubic feet or
less”:
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These steps must be completed in sequence.
Step (1): Aerate the fumigated space with all operable windows and doors open, aided by
the use of 1 or more fans, for a minimum of 1 hour. All of the fans used shall, in total, be
capable of displacing at least 5,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The fans may be turned
off for the remainder of the aeration period if desired.
Step (2): Secure fumigated space and do not allow reentry for a minimum of 6 hours from
the start of the aeration process (first opening of the seal). During this time, the fumigated
Space must remain posted.
Step (3): After the minimum 6 hour waiting period, measure the concentration of Zythor
in the breathing zone of each room of the fumigated space using an approved and
properly calibrated Low FumigantLevel Detection Device. If a concentration of Zythor
greater than 1 ppm is detected in the breathing zone, ventilate the fumigated space by
opening operable doors and windows and continue to measure the concentration of
Zythor in the breathing zone until it is 1 ppm or less. F umigated space may be cleared for
re-occupancy when the concentration of Zythor as measured with an approved and
properly calibrated Low Fumigant Level Detection Device is determined to be 1 ppm or
less in the breathing zone.”
Department inspectors reviewed Respondents fumigation logs which revealed thirteen (13) times
where Respondent shortened the passive aeration time to less than the minimum six (6) hours
required by the label.
The Department finds that Respondents violated Section SE-14.106(1) and SE-14.113(1), F.AC.,
in that the aeration time was less than that required by label on thirteen occasions between
September 2019 and January 2020.
COUNT 10
Section 5E-14,106(1), F.A.C., states:
“It shall be unlawful to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label and
labeling.” [emphasis added].
The label for Zythor Gas Fumigant states:
“Fumicalc - The Fumicalc computer program, designed to run on most types of desktop
and laptop computers and on Palm PDA devices, is used to calculate the Kill Power Index
that must be achieved within a fumigant space to kill the target pest and the dose and
exposure period necessary to achieve that Kill Power Index. The Fumicalc program is part
of the Zythor labeling and must be used to calculate all doses and exposure periods for
Zythor. The Fumicalc accepts as inputs the factors necessary to compute these values for all
labeled target pests. The Fumicalc program is available from Ensystex II, Inc.”
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Upon review of Respondents’ records and Fumigation Logs, Department inspectors discovered
that Respondents failed to use the Fumicalc to determine appropriate levels of fumigant to
introduce into a structure.
The Department finds that the Respondents violated Section SE-14.106(1), F.A.C., in that they
failed to use the Fumicalc and/or did not follow the label application rate for powderpost beetles
once and did not follow the label application rate for bed bugs on 6 occasions. In addition,
Chloropicrin was not applied at the label rate on 22 occasions between October 2019 and March
2020.
PRIOR ACTIONS
Total has previously received actions from the Department for allowing fumigations to be
performed without the required FID cardholders.
In Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement (BLE) case # 419-040-5016, the result of a 6/25/19
inspection, an Administrative Complaint was issued with a $4,000 fine against JB109040 for not
having a FID during the start of aeration. A Final Order was issued November 19, 2019 and the
fine was subsequently paid in full.
In BLE case # 420-010-3125, based on a January 1, 2020 inspection, an Administrative Complaint
with $4,000 fine was issued against JB109040 for not having a FID on site for the introduction of
fumigant. The fine was paid in May 2020 following an Informal Hearing, which sustained the fine.
PENALTY
Wherefore, Petitioner takes action pursuant to Section 482.161, F.S. and Section SE-149(10),
F.A.C., against Respondent Total Control Termite and Pest Professionals, Inc., JB109040 by
suspending Total’s business license in the Fumigation category for a period of 24 months and
imposing an administrative fine in the amount of forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000.00).
Wherefore, Petitioner takes action pursuant to Section 482.161, F.S. and Section SE-149(10),
F.A.C., against Respondent Nicholas E. Lucas (JF214379), by suspending his pest control
operators certificate in the fumigation category for a period of 24 months and imposing an
administrative fine in the amount of twenty-nine thousand seven hundred fifty dollars
($29,750.00).
Dated this i? of Cable 47 2020. a
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‘a; Environmental Manager
ing and Enforcement
320-201-5024 TC
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
In accordance with Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., you have the right to request a formal or
informal hearing and to be represented by counsel or other qualified representative.
To request a hearing, you must complete the enclosed Election of Rights form and file it with the
Division of Agricultural Environmental Services within 2] -days of receipt of this complaint.
NOTE: If you request a formal hearing, you must also provide a statement of the material facts
alleged in this complaint that you dispute.
Failure to timely file the Election of Rights form with the Division of Agricultural Environmental
Services within 21-ays of receipt of this complaint shall be considered a waiver of your right to a
hearing and may result in the issuance of a Final Order without any further notice that may impose
up to the maximum penalties as authorized by law.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you wish to discuss this matter, please contact me at 850-617-7880 or gary.stanford@fdacs.gov.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
[ hereby certify that a copy of this Administrative Complaint has been furnished by UPS Delivery
on this 07" day of October, 2020 to: Total Control Termite and Pest Professionals, Inc., Attn:
President or Person In Charge, 1450 Global Ct., Suite B, Sarasota, FL 34240.
Departme it
Division of Agricultural Environmental Services
The Conner Building, No. 8
3125 Conner Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650
Docket for Case No: 21-000152
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Apr. 28, 2021 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Apr. 27, 2021 |
Agreed Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
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Apr. 20, 2021 |
Order to Show Cause.
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Mar. 31, 2021 |
Order Granting Continuance (parties to advise status by April 14, 2021).
|
Mar. 31, 2021 |
Respondent's Unopposed Motion for Continuance filed.
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Jan. 28, 2021 |
Order Denying Motion for Summary Judgement.
|
Jan. 28, 2021 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Jan. 28, 2021 |
Notice of Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for April 6 and 7, 2021; 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time).
|
Jan. 28, 2021 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
Jan. 27, 2021 |
Notice of Telephonic Motion Hearing (motion hearing set for January 28, 2021; 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time).
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Jan. 26, 2021 |
Petitioner's Response in Opposition to Respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment or Alternative Relief filed.
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Jan. 22, 2021 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
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Jan. 21, 2021 |
Procedural Order.
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Jan. 19, 2021 |
Motion for Summary Judgment or Alternative Relief filed.
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Jan. 15, 2021 |
Initial Order.
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Jan. 13, 2021 |
Fumigation Stop-Work or Use Order filed.
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Jan. 13, 2021 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Jan. 13, 2021 |
Petition for Hearing Involving Disputed Issues of Material Fact filed.
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Jan. 13, 2021 |
Petition for Hearing Involving Disputed Issues of Material Fact filed.
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Jan. 13, 2021 |
Request for Assignment of Administrative Law Judge and Notice of Preservation of Record filed.
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Jan. 13, 2021 |
Agency referral filed.
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