Pesticide Registry Deadline Fast Approaches

Underneath any blanket of snow on your lawn are weeds ready to sprout this spring. If you want to know when lawn care companies will be spraying chemicals in your neighborhood, you have just another two days to sign up for the state’s landscape pesticide registry.

For the second year, the Department of Ag Trade and Consumer Protection is handling registration for the registry online. The mailing-in of a form, done for much of the 20 year history of the pesticide notification service, has been discontinued. DATCP spokeswoman Donna Gilson says online registration worked pretty well last year, but yes, if you need help, someone can assist you, “If people really are just not getting it, call us at (608)-224-4500 and we will help them out.”

Gilson says online registration saves DATCP about $35,000 a year. Last year, 830 people signed up for the pesticide registry, and listed 8,400 nearby properties. Well over half of the people who signed up are from Dane or Milwaukee County. This year’s registration deadline is Friday (2/1), and the form can be found at https://datcpservices.wisconsin.gov/landreg/index.jsp.