CA Branch 3 cheat sheet

California structural pest control is governed by the Structural Pest Control Act in the Business and Professions Code and by regulations in Title 16, California Code of Regulations.

Branch 3 covers fumigation; Branch 1 covers general pest control, and Branch 2 covers termite and wood-destroying pest work.

Branch 3 fumigation must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed fumigator within a licensed structural pest control company.

Fumigant labels are enforceable under FIFRA and California law; use inconsistent with the label is a violation.

Restricted-use fumigants require the applicable licensed or certified applicator and any required permit; check county agricultural commissioner requirements.

Before fumigation, the licensee must give the required written notice to the owner or occupant and post warning signs at entrances, retaining copies.

License renewal requires continuing education and compliance with renewal deadlines; failure to renew prohibits fumigation activity.

Structural pest control records must be made available to the Board and county agricultural commissioner on request.

Fumigant gas distribution depends on molecular weight relative to air: gases heavier than air settle in low areas, while near-air-density gases mix more evenly.

Methyl bromide is nonflammable and can be odorless at hazardous concentrations; chloropicrin is added as a warning agent, and its vapor is heavier than air.

Sulfuryl fluoride is odorless, colorless, nonflammable, and heavier than air; it is used for whole-structure insect control.

Aluminum and magnesium phosphide generate phosphine when exposed to atmospheric moisture; generation rate increases with humidity and temperature.

Phosphine is flammable and can corrode copper and brass; it may have a garlic or fish-like odor only above certain concentrations.

Chloropicrin is a lacrimator and respiratory irritant used as a warning agent, not as a primary structural fumigant.

Sorption by wood, wallboard, and contents reduces available fumigant; dosage and exposure must account for label directions and structure conditions.

Higher temperature generally increases vapor pressure and diffusion; lower temperature can slow volatilization and pest kill.

Methyl bromide is an inhalation neurotoxin and pulmonary irritant; odor is not a reliable warning because the gas can be odorless at hazardous levels.

Sulfuryl fluoride is an inhalation toxicant affecting the central nervous system and respiratory tract; it is odorless, so monitoring and posting are essential.

Phosphine causes respiratory irritation, pulmonary edema, and central nervous system effects; symptoms can be delayed for hours.

Chloropicrin is a strong eye and respiratory irritant that causes tearing; exposure can impair escape and requires respiratory protection.

The label is the primary source for signal word, PPE, reentry, clearance, target pests, sites, and maximum dosage.

DANGER indicates high acute toxicity; WARNING and CAUTION indicate lower hazard categories under pesticide labeling.

PEL is an occupational exposure limit; IDLH is immediately dangerous to life or health and requires supplied-air or SCBA.

Air-purifying respirators must have the correct canister for the fumigant and cannot be used at IDLH or unknown concentrations.

Never enter a fumigated structure alone; use a buddy system with communication and rescue capability.

Use supplied-air or SCBA for unknown concentrations, IDLH atmospheres, or concentrations above the respirator's protection factor.

Before entry, monitor the atmosphere with a calibrated instrument for the fumigant and for oxygen deficiency.

Post warning signs at every entrance, lock or secure openings, and maintain a perimeter until clearance.

For inhalation exposure, move the person to fresh air, call 911, and give oxygen if trained; avoid unprotected reentry.

For skin or eye contact, remove contaminated clothing, wash with soap and water, and flush eyes for at least 15 minutes.

Metal phosphide fires can release phosphine; do not use water, and use appropriate dry media while evacuating and calling emergency services.

The emergency plan must include evacuation routes, communication, medical contacts, and notification of authorities.

Volume in cubic feet equals length times width times height; for irregular spaces, sum the volumes of component areas.

Total fumigant equals structure volume in cubic feet divided by 1000, multiplied by the label dosage per 1000 cubic feet.

Convert ounces to pounds by dividing by 16; convert pounds to grams by multiplying by 454.

Convert cubic feet to cubic meters by multiplying by 0.0283; one cubic meter equals 35.31 cubic feet.

Use the label dosage table for target pest, temperature, exposure time, and structure type; do not exceed the maximum label rate.

Lower temperatures may require higher dosage or longer exposure because volatilization and insect activity slow.

Account for sorption and leakage by following label sealing requirements and monitoring concentration during exposure.

For phosphine, dosage is often calculated from tablet or pellet count and label tables; count and record all units used.

Remove people, pets, and plants before tenting; remove or double-seal food, feed, drugs, and cosmetics unless the label permits otherwise.

Open interior doors, closets, cabinets, and access panels so fumigant can distribute throughout the structure.

Shut off ignition sources and pilot lights; disconnect or secure utilities as required by the label and company policy.

Seal plumbing penetrations, vents, fireplaces, and other openings; the tent must cover the entire structure.

Secure the tarp at the ground with sand or water snakes and inspect for tears, gaps, and loose seams before release.

Post warning signs at all entrances and lock or guard the perimeter to prevent unauthorized entry.

Clear attic and crawlspace access for monitoring and aeration; remove obstructions that block gas movement.

Do not allow occupants to remain in a structure that is tented or under fumigation.

Monitor fumigant concentration at representative locations during exposure and document readings, time, and instrument used.

Clearance requires readings at or below the label and California reentry level before occupants may return.

Aeration uses fans, vents, and tarp removal to dilute and disperse fumigant; weather affects aeration speed.

Do not enter during aeration without appropriate respiratory protection until monitoring confirms safe levels.

Sample living areas, attic, crawlspace, closets, and other representative spaces, not just one central room.

Calibrate and check monitoring instruments before use; record calibration and any detector tube lot numbers.

Keep warning signs posted until clearance is complete, then remove and document.

If clearance readings exceed the limit, continue aeration and retest before reoccupancy.

Fumigation is selected when pests are concealed, widespread, or deep in the structure and the label permits the site.

Drywood termites live in wood without soil contact and produce pellets; fumigation kills existing colonies but leaves no residual.

Subterranean termites require soil contact; fumigation does not prevent reinfestation, so soil treatment or barriers may be needed.

Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices; fumigant must reach all harborage areas at sufficient concentration and exposure.

Stored-product pests in commodities may be treated with phosphine under gas-tight conditions and label directions.

Fumigation does not control wood decay fungi, mold, or insects that are not present at the time of treatment.

Inspection must identify the pest and extent before choosing fumigation; misidentification leads to treatment failure.

Fumigants have no residual effect; reinfestation prevention requires exclusion, wood replacement, or other tactics.

Record the date, time, structure volume, fumigant, lot number, dosage, temperature, exposure period, and applicator.

Record monitoring readings, clearance results, instrument calibration, and the time occupants were notified.

Keep copies of occupant notice, warning sign posting, permits, and any county agricultural commissioner reporting.

California pesticide use reporting requires structural applications to be reported as specified; keep copies with the job file.

Make records available to the Structural Pest Control Board, county agricultural commissioner, and other authorized officials.

Report spills, leaks, fires, and human exposures promptly to the supervisor, emergency services, and authorities as required.

Maintain safety data sheets and label copies for each fumigant used and train employees on their contents.

Retain records for the period required by California law and company policy; do not discard after clearance.