Retail nurseries are inspected on a complaint basis for pest cleanliness and proper labeling. Bulk and packaged seed is checked for labeling requirements and prohibited weed species. To protect the public health, worker safety and the environment, the Department enforces State and Federal laws and regulations governing pesticide use by pest control companies, agricultural operations and other pesticide handlers. Staff Biologists monitor pesticide applications to be sure they are performed in a safe and effective manner and that worker safety requirements are followed. Additionally the Department inspects application equipment, pesticide storage sites, employee training documents and business use records, and investigates complaints and pesticide-related illnesses.
Information is provided to homeowners and industry on the appropriate use of pesticides.
Pest Detection Placement and servicing of insect traps to detect exotic pests such as Medfly, Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle. Early detection and eradication protect California's agriculture industry and home gardens by reducing the amount of pesticides used and the cost to the consumer. Direct Marketing San Francisco County currently has several Certified Farmers' Markets where growers can sell their produce directly to the consumer. The Department certifies each market annually and performs periodic inspections to ensure compliance with state direct marketing regulations. The Department also issues Producer's Certificates to growers, verifying they are the producers of the agriculture commodities sold at the markets.