section .0500 - WOOD‑DESTROYING ORGANISMS

02 ncac 34 .0501             WOOD‑DESTROYING INSECTS: EXCLUDING SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

(a)  Determining Active Infestations of Wood‑Destroying Beetles. The licensee, certified applicator, or his or her representative(s) making the inspection for wood‑destroying beetles shall each be responsible for determining the presence or absence of an active infestation(s). Before any work is performed for the treatment of wood‑destroying insects under Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule, the licensee or his or her employee shall provide the property owner or agent a written proposal including, in addition to that information in 02 NCAC 34 .0605, the name(s) of the wood‑destroying insects(s) to be controlled, that part of the structure to be covered under the agreement such as the entire structure, understructure only, entire interior of the garage, etc., and the basis on which the licensee, certified applicator, or his or her representative(s) determined the infestation to be active or inactive as set forth herein below:

(1)           Powder Post Beetle(s)(Anobiidae, Bostrichidae and Lyctidae)

(A)          The presence of frass, the color of fresh cut wood, shall be acceptable as evidence of an active infestation of powder post beetles.

(B)          The presence of holes alone or holes and dull colored frass shall not be acceptable evidence of an active infestation of powder post beetles except in cases where live larvae or pupae are found in wood members.

(C)          If an active infestation of powder post beetles is found by the Division in any structure treated for said beetles, during or after the first complete adult beetle emergence period within 18 months of the treatment date, the licensee or certified applicator responsible for said treatment shall retreat the infested areas of the structure within 30 days of written notice from the Division. Retreatment for an active infestation of Powder Post Beetles as indicated in Parts (A) and (B) of this Subparagraph shall be performed, upon request of the Division, in the presence of a structural pest control inspector.

(D)          If a licensee provides a guarantee, warranty, or service agreement in connection with a treatment for powder post beetles, the period of initial liability with regard to active infestation shall be 18 months from the original treatment date.

(2)           Old House Borer (Hylotrupes bajulus). The presence of old house borer or oval exit holes with sawdust‑like frass consisting of fine powder with tiny pellets in oval galleries in pine or other softwoods shall constitute evidence of an active infestation of the old house borer. The sound of feeding larvae of the old house borer without the presence of frass shall not constitute sufficient evidence of an active infestation.

(b)  Identifying Other Wood‑Destroying Insects. Before recommending treatment or selling a service for the prevention or control of wood‑destroying insects, other than powder post beetles or old house borer, the licensee, certified applicator, or their representative(s) shall identify the wood‑destroying insect(s) in question and inform the property owner or his authorized representative of the identity and habits of the wood‑destroying insect(s) in question.

(c)  Any reapplication of pesticides under this Rule shall be in accordance with the label of the pesticide used.

(d)  Pesticide applications for the prevention of wood-boring beetles shall be performed only after informing the property owner or their authorized agent in writing of the biology and conditions supporting an infestation and survival of said insects. Such notice shall include an evaluation of the condition of the structure(s) to be treated and a statement as to whether or not such condition will support an infestation by wood-boring beetles.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 106‑65.29;

Eff. July 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. November 22, 1977;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002; July 1, 1998; January 1, 1989; August 1, 1980;

Readopted Eff. June 1, 2020.