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(Supersedes original advisory #2025-05 issued on 05/06/2025) Compliance Advisory – New Jersey Department Of Environmental Protection #2025-07 Issued: 06/03/2025
WHO IS AFFECTED BY THIS ADVISORY?
Commercial pesticide applicators and businesses involved in outdoor non-agricultural use of pesticides,
including in the lawn and landscape, tree care, and golf course industries. Pursuant to P.L. 2021, c.386,
found at N.J.S.A. 13:1F-4.2 et seq., pesticides in the class known as neonicotinoids must not be used
outdoors for non-agricultural uses unless the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issues an Administrative Order allowing certain uses in the event of an “environmental emergency”. At this time, the NJDEP has not issued an Administrative Order allowing the emergency use of neonicotinoid pesticides. Accordingly, commercial pesticide applicators must not use neonicotinoids outdoors for non-agricultural purposes.
NOTE: Neonicotinoid use for indoor pest control, pet care, structural perimeter applications by a licensed
pesticide applicator and other exemptions listed in the law remain valid.
The restrictions on neonicotinoid use do not apply to direct actions taken by certified and licensed pesticide applicators of NJDEP or the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), or their agents, to apply neonicotinoids for invasive pests. One example of “agents” allowed to apply neonicotinoids for invasive pests would be certified and licensed applicators hired under the NJDA grant program with counties and municipalities for control of Spotted Lanternfly.
WHY IS NJDEP ISSUING THIS ADVISORY?
A number of pests were under consideration as potential environmental emergencies under the law.
However, after careful consideration, the NJDEP has determined that no current pest threats warrant
“environmental emergency” status at this time. Thus, neonicotinoid pesticides cannot be used outdoors for non-agricultural purposes in the lawn care, landscape, tree care and golf course industries.
Should a future pest threat warrant emergency status, the NJDEP may issue an Administrative Order that sets conditions for the use of a neonicotinoid(s) pesticide for that particular pest.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Make sure that you do not use any pesticide outdoors that belongs to the neonicotinoid class of pesticides, absent an Administrative Order from NJDEP allowing such use. Under the law, neonicotinoid
pesticides currently include pesticides with the following chemical ingredients: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, flonicamid, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam. This list may be supplemented with new or emerging chemicals that may be classified as neonicotinoids as determined by EPA or NJDEP.
Members of the industry should:
- Check the labels of the pesticide products you plan to use outdoors to make sure they do not contain any of the active ingredients listed above.
2. Periodically check the NJDEP web site for any updates on pest threats that may warrant environmental emergency status: NJDEP-Compliance and Enforcement – Bureau of Pesticide Compliance (https://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/pcp-bpc.htm)
3. If you need guidance for the selection of alternative pesticides for a pest problem, contact Rutgers
Cooperative Extension in your County: Cooperative Extension County Offices (Rutgers NJAES)
(https://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/)
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
For a complete copy of the law: https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2020/PL21/386_.PDF
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?
John Orrok, Rule Manager, Bureau of Pesticide Control
John.orrok@dep.nj.gov
Phone: (609) 940-5389
Bureau Main Phone Number: (609) 984-6568
To view the Department’s compliance advisories, visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/advisories.html