There are four state agencies which issue certificates and licenses for pest control applicators as mandated by the Texas Pesticide Law . Applicators for restricted-use and state-limited-use pesticides for agricultural related categories are licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture ( TDA ). Under Authority of article 135b-6 V . T . C . S ., the Structural Pest Control Board ( SPCB ) tests and licenses businesses , commercial and non-commercial applicators including most municipal applicators . All applicators are required to be licensed by the SPCB under its jurisdiction regardless of the pesticides classification . The Texas Department of Health ( TDH ) certifies municipal applicators for health-related vector control . Certification and re-certification are provided by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service ( TAEX ) by means of continuing education for the TDA and SPCB , which are the primary state agencies responsible for pesticide regulation in Texas . Current U . S . Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) regulations include provisions for the control of the use of pesticides through the Federal , Insecticide , Fungicide and Rodenticide Act ( FIFRA ). This program outlines the minimum requirements regarding the registration , labeling , and uses of pesticides . Restricted-use pesticides warrant special labeling because they present a potential of harm to human health and the environment .
Categories in which examinations are to be given for licenses are listed as follows : Termite Control , Pest Control , Lawn and Ornamental , Commodity Fumigation , Weed Control , Wood Preservation .
The Parks and Recreation Department has several applicators that are licensed under the SPCB under the Lawn , Ornamental , and Weed Control categories . The department also has applicators licensed under TDA for Ornamental and Turf control , Plant Pest Control , Greenhouse Pest Control , Weed Control , Right-of-Way Pest Control , Aquatic Plant Pest Control and Aquatic Animal Pest Control . The City of Arlington also operates four municipal golf courses under the Programs division of the Parks and Recreation Department . The application of pesticides and herbicides on the golf courses are conducted by licensed applicators . One of the golf courses , Tierra Verde , only utilizes organic fertilizers and herbicides as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable environmental practices . The City financially supports the re-certification requirements of its licensed applicators .
There are currently :
48 TDA applicators – plant , pest , and weed category 2 SPCB applicators – lawn , ornamental , and weed category
Along with the golf courses , Parks manages seventy-seven sports fields . Best management practices and natural resource protection measures have been integrated into the daily operations throughout the park system . These practices and measures have not changed from prior years .
All of Parks ’ playing fields and golf courses are subject to turf management , including weed and pest control and fertilization . The turf management practices are designed to minimize operational effects on the environment . Golf course management is the same as was submitted in the prior years ’ reports . Tierra Verde Golf Club , a certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary , continues to be the City ’ s leading facility for integrating environmental standards into the turf management program . Experience gained at this facility is used to develop environmentally friendly practices for other park facilities .
The Fire Department manages all fire station sites . Station personnel apply fertilizers and insecticides for fire ant control and lawn maintenance .
The Environmental Health Department ’ s Vector Control Contractor sprays for mosquitos on an as needed basis for public health reasons ( i . e . positive tests for contractible illness ). Mosquito control is also accomplished through
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