The department offers compliance assistance and enforcement of the Montana Pesticide Act and associated administrative rules. 

Pesticides are a tool to provide sufficient food quantity and quality, protect the environment from invasive or destructive species, and protect humans and animals from insect-borne diseases. Proper management is necessary for the protection of humans, animals, crops and the environment.

Investigations and Routine Inspections

The department strives to routinely inspect all licensed pesticide applicators and dealers on a 4- to 6-year basis and as needed to assure compliance with laws and regulations.

Department staff, with reasonable cause, may enter private premises and property with a warrant or with the owner's consent to inspect or investigate:

• Equipment for applying pesticides;
• Adverse effects on humans, crops, animals, land, or other property.
• Records on the sale, use or inventory of pesticides.
• Any person's handling, use, application, storage and disposal of pesticides including authority to collecty needed samples of pesticides or crops.
• The environment alleged to have been exposed improperly to pesticides.
• Compliance with federal Worker Protection Standards.
• Compliance with licensing, labeling, permitting, and certification requirements.

Compliance Assistance

As part of a program that emphasizes voluntary inspections, the department may offer amnesty for certain compliance problems noted during routine inspections. The program emphasizes assistance to newly regulated individuals or businesses, entities not previously inspected, and those subject to new regulations or new compliance initiatives. Assistance can involve:

• Providing education, training or outreach materials during a site visit.
• Providing formal education and materials to groups.
• Conducting compliance assistance inspections to eligible businesses or individuals. 

Complaint Process

A person suffering loss or damage from the improper use of pesticides should file a report of loss (via telephone, email or written correspondance) with the department.  Helpful information includes:

• Name and address of claimant.
• Type and location of property alleged to be injured or damaged.
• Date of the alleged injury or damage.
• Name of person thought to be responsible.
• Name of the property owner or occupant for whom the pesticide application was made.