Folk Remedies and Pseudo-Experts Create Tough Challenges for Professionals

摘要

In July, the Muncie Star , Press reported that five farm supply stores had been fined by the Indiana State Chemist's Ofliee (the agency that regulates pesticide use) for promoting off-label pesticide applications to consumers for control of nuisance raccoons. According to the report, store clerks advised consumers to mix fly bait containing methomyl, a carbamate insecticide formulated as a granular bait to control flies, as part of a dodgy, illegal recipe to kill raccoons. These unlawful recommendations landed the farm supply stores in hot water with pesticide regulators, who posed as consumers as part of an undercover sting operation. The agency followed up with regulatory action.