Who is classified as a commercial applicator?

The classification of a commercial applicator specifically pertains to individuals who apply pesticides for compensation on properties that belong to others. This entails a level of professionalism and responsibility associated with the application process, as commercial applicators must adhere to legal regulations, safety standards, and proper usage guidelines. They typically have the necessary training, licensing, and often insurance to carry out such tasks, distinguishing their role from personal use applicators.

In contrast, applying pesticides at home relates to personal, non-commercial usage, which does not require the same licenses or adherence to the commercial standards. A pesticide manufacturer is involved in the production of pesticides rather than their application, while an agricultural researcher might work with pesticides for testing and study purposes but is not classified as an applicator in the commercial sense. Thus, the focus on compensation and professionalism makes the definition of a commercial applicator clear and defined within the context of pesticide use and regulation.