Tyler J Harper Commissioner | Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler J Harper Commissioner | Georgia Department of Agriculture
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is celebrating 70 years since the establishment of its Structural Pest Division. The anniversary coincides with National Pest Management Month. The division has played a key role in regulating the pest management industry in Georgia since its founding in 1955. The industry contributes to over 14,000 jobs and has a $2 billion economic impact on the state. In 2024, the division conducted over 1,400 inspections and licensed more than 12,000 pest management professionals.
"Protecting consumers and ensuring the safety of our communities is at the heart of the GDA’s mission," stated Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. He highlighted the importance of the division's work in maintaining high safety standards in pest management.
The division's mission includes the oversight of licensing and regulation in the pest management industry, ensuring operators' competency and adherence to safety standards. It focuses on licensing and certification, and compliance and enforcement to ensure accountability. Consumers can reach out to the division if they experience issues with operators.
A partnership with UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and NPD Products led to a training session on Sapelo Island last year, highlighting the division's ongoing efforts.
The Structural Pest Division emphasizes responsible pest management practices, compliant with state and federal guidelines. Licensed operators are mandatory, and more information on licensed companies, complaints, or incident reports can be found at the department’s website.
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