Florida Lawn and Ornamental License

[wooley99]

I'm considering whether it's worthwhile to get a FL lawn and ornamental license. I've been to the FL Dept of AG website and looked at the requirements. I just started a lawn business and I don't intend to branch out into pest control. I would however like to be able to spray round-up, oils and soaps, treat for fire ants, do weed pre-emergents and otherwise provide some additional services to clients. Since I don't have a spray license I've been referring people to two local full-service, squirt companies. Some think I'm nuts because I don't do fire ants or weed-and-feed. I don't like fines and I'd be the dude the State used to set an example so I pull weeds, slap ants and serve as an unpaid salesman for the bug company. What I'm hoping for is some opinions on whether or not it is worth getting a license to offer such a limited service and any practical advice on associated costs, guides or courses for the the test.

thanks,

[cpel2004]

Your local extension dept should offer the limited license. Down here it cost about $150 it may be cheaper in your area. The Squirt & Fert guys should at least give you 5-10% for the referral.

[Ric]

Your local extension dept should offer the limited license. Down here it cost about $150 it may be cheaper in your area. The Squirt & Fert guys should at least give you 5-10% for the referral.

wooley99

Customers want one stop shopping, Read the thread "How many of you guys left mowing for fert & squirt? "

Florida is the hardest state to get a commercial L&O license in. Because there are so many hoops to jump the License is valuable. As a start up you may want to re-think your plan and First work for a Spray company to get your own license before going into business yourself. However the if you don't want to take the time to get your license then NETWORKING is the key word for you. Get with a smaller one man Spray company and offer his services along with yours. True he will make more money than you per time spend on that customer. However He will cause your business to grow.

BTW also take cpel2004 advice and get your Limited License so you can spray Roundup. Weed control in beds and sidewalks is a must. You can also do IPM on shrubs, But no Fire Ants or Weed & Feed.

[Mjcurry3]

Whoever said you should get 5-10% kickback from referrals obviously has the wrong frame of mind.

I am a partner in a fertilization company, and we network with MANY different landscapers. We hand pick the people we want to send mowing account to only because, quality is the most important things for us.

If someone like yourself sends me fertilization accounts, we go out of our war to build a relationship and send work your way in return. There is never any money that exchanges hands or a "kickback". Chances are if someone is giving you a "kickback" they are desperate for work and the probably do not do a very good job in the first place.

What makes me sick about some landscapers is that, they don't appreciate a good fertilization company. They take us for granted. Landscapers have the mentality that fertilization is easy.... all we do is go out put some fertilizer down once a month, and make $50.00 per treatment that only takes 5-15 minutes. PLUS THAT'S THE MINIMUM CHARGE FOR OUR COMPANY.. unfortunately, this is how some landscapers think, and it ends up getting them into a world of trouble. Certain landscapers forget that the products we run are not cheap... Plus now days, many of the insecticides on the market are no good, chinch bugs have built up a resistance to most of the products. You have to know what your doing to be successful in this business. Also, some landscapers don't realize that a great fertilization company makes your lawn look 100x's better. We help each other out is the bottom line. When there is a good lawn care and lawn fertilization company on a property, they compliment each other and it shows in the finished product. I have tons of respect for the landscapers who sharpen their blades, cut their lawns at 4 1/2 to 5 inches, and take time to do a great job, and I make sure I send those guys plenty of main. accounts.

No matter what you think, its takes a large amount of time and knowledge to keep a lawn looking good. Keeping it green and growing is easy... How about the bugs, the weeds, pre-emergents, diseases and fungus's, mixture rates, spray patterns, product placement, product rotation, and so much more. I have seen so many landscapers try to get greedy and it ends up coming back and hurting them TREMENDOUSLY in the long run.

I have seen landscapers bid properties for mowing and chemical, and they try to do everything with a granular to make more money off the property. Even though it is illegal for a landscaper to throw fertilizer down that has a insecticide or herbicide inside they do it anyways... What they do not realize is that liquids are 100x's better, especially when your talking about insecticides. Then they wonder why they can't get the chinch bugs under control, its because there are to many variables with a granular insect control... Like watering times, its not able to get into the crowns of the grass like a liquid would, the thickness of the thatch, and much more. Then in the long run, they have to end up paying to replace all the grass that was killed by chinch bugs, brown patch, or much more. I say its best to stick to what your good at, I would never consider opening a lawn main. company and screwing all the companies that helped us get to where we are today.

To answer your question, the only way to get a license is to have at least 3 years experience spraying, and have at least 1 year immediately prior to taking your exam. Plus, you have to have someone who is already a certified operator sign off on your exam. Some people think of yea I will just say I have 3 years experience, you cant because your experience is logged within the state's database. Each spray technician is issued an ID card they have to carry at all times, and this is how they track the amount of time you have been working in the field. Last I heard also, the passing rate on the exam is only like 10-15 percent. If it gets any higher than that, they redo the test to make it harder.

The best way to do it, is find a good company that you can network with to trade work back and forth. Also, most good fertilization companies include fire ant control within their service of they will offer top choice for an additional charge. Also, if your working with someone and they take care of your lawns, you can call them and have them out if you ever see any concerns, this saves your butt and makes you look great to the homeowner.
Just make sure you go get a limited license to be able to spray roundup.

Also, the state just hired TONS of new inspectors, so dont get caught operating illegally they will fine you HARDCORE.

Hopefully this is helpful to you, and I did not offend anyone. I know there are probably only a FEW landscapers that feel or act this way, and most of you are great. I just happen to run into some of the greedy ones.

Thanks,
Matthew

[diamondlandscaping]

I agree with what you said, but don't kid yourself. Doing maintenance work is way more grueling that spraying chemicals or fertilizer. You do need to know what your doing, but it far less tiresome than maintenance.

The company that sprays my lawns is very good. There are a lot of mediocre and crappy spray companies just as there are maintenance companies.

[A.T.A.K]

The state of Florida hired a ton of new inspectors haha. They are so over worked it's a joke. Even the ones that are inplace only a handfull even know what to look for.
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[Ric]

The state of Florida hired a ton of new inspectors haha. They are so over worked it's a joke. Even the ones that are inplace only a handfull even know what to look for.
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Tim

Just got home all wet and rained out of tonight's party. So I am not in the best mood. Trying to help Bryan get started now that he Passed the Commercial L&O Test, I am again mad as the devil about the poor enforcement by the Florida Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control. It is a joke and a Dam shame that so many can get away with so much.

Let us not talk you or I because we been fighting the system for years. But Bryan has just spend a few years paying his dues and now should benefit from his hard work. But his reward is being stolen by the illegal applicators and the Bureaucratic system that allows these illegals to operate.

It does no good to complain because the Wage Slaves of the State will only start inspecting Legal operators and fining them. After all they have our Name Address and Phone number and know exactly where to find us. God forbid they actually went looking for illegals when they have such a long list to choose from already.

[fl-landscapes]

wooley99

Customers want one stop shopping, Read the thread "How many of you guys left mowing for fert & squirt? "

Florida is the hardest state to get a commercial L&O license in. Because there are so many hoops to jump the License is valuable. As a start up you may want to re-think your plan and First work for a Spray company to get your own license before going into business yourself. However the if you don't want to take the time to get your license then NETWORKING is the key word for you. Get with a smaller one man Spray company and offer his services along with yours. True he will make more money than you per time spend on that customer. However He will cause your business to grow.

BTW also take cpel2004 advice and get your Limited License so you can spray Roundup. Weed control in beds and sidewalks is a must. You can also do IPM on shrubs, But no Fire Ants or Weed & Feed.

You still need past experience in the industry including exposure to spraying chemicals under someone else to obtain this limited lis.

[BocaChris]

Indeed they have hired new inspectors, I had one find me about a month ago. Was rather painless, as I keep a pretty tight trailer. The one in my area seems to be focusing on the nation wide commercial companies, one of which I work for and others like ValleyCrest. ValleyCrest in my area has been inspected 3 times and all times has been written up.
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[Ric]

Indeed they have hired new inspectors, I had one find me about a month ago. Was rather painless, as I keep a pretty tight trailer. The one in my area seems to be focusing on the nation wide commercial companies, one of which I work for and others like ValleyCrest. ValleyCrest in my area has been inspected 3 times and all times has been written up.
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Chris

I don't want the hassle of termite inspection. The BEPC inspects Termite companies hard and heavy. Most of the fines are in fact Termite Companies. But once again you are telling about Legal Companies getting over inspected while the Illegals are just have a field day.

[A.T.A.K]

No inspectors have not been added Florida has allways had 19 regions. Two years ago they dropped to 12 inspectors they are back up to 18 so really we are still down 1. In reality we need about 25 but with cuts and lay off by years end we will be at 15 again. My office gets inspected 2-3 times a year because it's a easy and fast inspection for my inspector when he needs to fill his quota. Which is sad when I use to send him 25 illegals a week
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[cgaengineer]

What a hassle. I think it is absurd to expect someone to work under another chemical company prior to getting a fert/squirt license. I understand what they are trying to prevent, but they have made it so hard to do that people are just doing it illegally. I understand that experience is important, but if you have people doing it illegally than the system is backfiring.

[cgaengineer]

It may sound great to you fert/sqirt guys as a way to eliminate competition, but FL's next step maybe a near total ban on herbicides similar to parts of Canada. Making a license so difficult to get only makes illegal applications more popular.

[A.T.A.K]

It's not any worse than many other fields (electricians, fire sprinklers, plumbers). They all require time under someone but here's the kicker they don't put out mass amounts of poison. What is so hard about floridas certs is it the time or the test? The three years is not that bad just most mow and blow guys want it for free. Many chem guys have offered to help with the time without charging but still most mow guys expect it for nothing. The test is like any other test study and you will do fine. The bans will come in time which is due to pesticides and fert being sold to un certified people.
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[Ric]

It's not any worse than many other fields (electricians, fire sprinklers, plumbers). They all require time under someone but here's the kicker they don't put out mass amounts of poison. What is so hard about floridas certs is it the time or the test? The three years is not that bad just most mow and blow guys want it for free. Many chem guys have offered to help with the time without charging but still most mow guys expect it for nothing. The test is like any other test study and you will do fine. The bans will come in time which is due to pesticides and fert being sold to un certified people.
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Tim

You and I both being Structural pesticide guys understand how Florida is the Bug Capital of America. The more you go south the worse it gets. We have SUGAR CANE GRUBS the size of a baby mole. Our Chinch Bugs are for ever developing a resists to the latest insecticide. There is no way an untrained person can come into Florida and do good work with out a Huge Learning Curve. Heck if we didn't stay talking to every CPO in the state for new Ideas we would be lost also. Just building a Network to know where to find information takes years.

[cgaengineer]

An electrician is a trade in itself as is a firefighter and a plumber...yes a chemical applicator can be a trade, but it really goes hand in hand with the lawn service industry. Most guys who want to spray chemicals are already self employed lawn service companies that do not have a chance or the time to work under someone...especially for 3 years and that's why you have illegal applicators. Comparing a grass cutter to a plumber, electrician or a firefighter is not even a fair comparison.

I have to say I was/am pretty clueless when I got my license but I am careful, I pay attention and ask many questions. I am learning new stuff everyday. Regardless of 3 days or 3 years I am still capable of making an application mistake that has the potential for environmental impact.
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[Ric]

An electrician is a trade in itself as is a firefighter and a plumber...yes a chemical applicator can be a trade, but it really goes hand in hand with the lawn service industry. Most guys who want to spray chemicals are already self employed lawn service companies that do not have a chance or the time to work under someone...especially for 3 years and that's why you have illegal applicators. Comparing a grass cutter to a plumber, electrician or a firefighter is not even a fair comparison.

I have to say I was/am pretty clueless when I got my license but I am careful, I pay attention and ask many questions. I am learning new stuff everyday. Regardless of 3 days or 3 years I am still capable of making an application mistake that has the potential for environmental impact.
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cga

You live and work in Georgia which gives license away in cracker Jack Boxes. You don't have a DOG in the Florida License fight. But the Bottom line is you must worker under an other mans certification and license for a certain period of time to sit for the Florida Cert Test. Cry all you want but that is the law.

I am rained out of a BBQ today. So what is your excuse for posting over 8,600 in only 3 years

[diamondlandscaping]

I'm sorry but someone who cuts St. Augustine at 3" and hacks plants back should NOT be given spray license. Having to spray chemicals on lawn or ornamentals should be a backup, not a go to. Most weed,insect, and disease is caused by improper maintenance practices which result in having to use more chemicals. A St. Augustine lawn that has turned into crabgrass, sedge, goosegrass, etc. etc. didn't get like that from proper maintenance. I am trying right now to find a company who will train me for 1 year so I can sit for the exam. The license shouldn't be given out to anyone though. Then we would have the same economic issues as we do with "landscaping companies" and environmental issues out the wazoo.

[cgaengineer]

You keep bringing up my post count Ric...what does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Maybe if you actually look at my posts you will see that I actually help people. I also do a lot of reading and learning...isn't that what this forum is for or is it for elitists like yourself to boast about your lifetime use of chemicals. No wonder you never want to help anyone. But that's fine...no loss, many more good folks on this forum...even some with a much higher post count than me.

I don't have to have a dog in the fight, I would just hate to see other states follow in FL's footsteps...they give auto licenses out to anyone in any state...far more people die from inexperienced drivers than a chemical applicator. I would much rather see an easier path to licensing than illegal applicators any day...at least a licensed person passed a test and learned to read a label.
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[cgaengineer]

You may also check the politics section Ric, I have quite a few posts there as well...if you need my address so you can do further checking on me I will be glad to give it to you...also let me know when you need my SSN and DOB so you can run a background check on me. I also have my GA pesticide license number in my signature, you can look that up as well. I am also licensed by the state of GA to carry a firearm...they give those out to anyone too just like your home state...might want to make sure to get some regulations passed so you have to have 3 years of range time in order to protect your life...never mind all the people who carry illegally.
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[Ric]

I'm sorry but someone who cuts St. Augustine at 3" and hacks plants back should NOT be given spray license. Having to spray chemicals on lawn or ornamentals should be a backup, not a go to. Most weed,insect, and disease is caused by improper maintenance practices which result in having to use more chemicals. A St. Augustine lawn that has turned into crabgrass, sedge, goosegrass, etc. etc. didn't get like that from proper maintenance. I am trying right now to find a company who will train me for 1 year so I can sit for the exam. The license shouldn't be given out to anyone though. Then we would have the same economic issues as we do with "landscaping companies" and environmental issues out the wazoo.

Diamond

The main problem is half these people don't have the common sense to realize they are scalping the heck of of the landscape. They think they are doing it perfect. The biggest "F" Up in the industry is the way 95% weed eat the turf to nothing. Try and tell them different and you can't. You just can't fit stupid.


CGA

Yes Thank You, Please forward all your information to me immediately. I sure hope you got good credit for when I open all those Credit Card Accounts.

[greendoctor]

Diamond

The main problem is half these people don't have the common sense to realize they are scalping the heck of of the landscape. They think they are doing it perfect. The biggest "F" Up in the industry is the way 95% weed eat the turf to nothing. Try and tell them different and you can't. You just can't fit stupid.




I would be hesitant to put that one on the maintenance person until speaking with who directs their work. I have dealt with HOA landscaping committees that specify turf gets scalped. Just about every HOA in Hawaii that has st augustine as turf has it mowed at less than 3 inches. I do not deal with HOAs anymore as an independent contractor. Those fusterclucks were when I was attached to a "landscaper". Now, I deal with turf on estates and high value residential properties. It is quite the surprise to the homeowner when I insist that the st augustine not be scalped to the ground, because that is how the last lawn person did it. I am not run out of town for speaking this heresy when the turf recovers and looks like a green shag carpet. Moderate amounts of water and fertilizer are required to keep this look going as well. Compared to the scalped turf that needs daily irrigation and the entire inventory of CPS/Agrium just to stay alive.

Back to the original pictures. The hibiscus looks like what happens when it is overwatered on poorly drained and aerated soil. Insect pests are like the vultures circling around the weak. Properly watered and fertilized hibiscus does not turn black and decline so easily.

[cgaengineer]

Sorry, I would have to know you for 3 years before I would give the requested info out.
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[diamondlandscaping]

Greendoctor

You are correct as far as HOA goes. I have seen contracts that say it will be cut at 3.5". On an individual residential site, that is nobody's fault except the "landscaper." I have had only 1 customer ever ask me to cut it shorter. Nobody else questions my cutting height. If I had a potential client or even a current client ask me to cut it any lower than a healthy height, I would refuse, even if it meant losing an account. If you were to drive around my area during the summer, you will see lawns at the beginning of growing season being cut at unhealthy heights and at the end it is a weed field. I saw one woman's home get completely overtaken by Wodelia last year b/c her lawn jockey was and still is cutting too short. But he is probably charging her peanuts.....

[A.T.A.K]

We gave up on just fert and squirt. All new accounts need to give us the whole package irrigation fert pesticide mow blow and all new installs. We now have over 3700 properties and it's the only way to do the job.
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[cgaengineer]

We gave up on just fert and squirt. All new accounts need to give us the whole package irrigation fert pesticide mow blow and all new installs. We now have over 3700 properties and it's the only way to do the job.
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You would be out of business in less than a week here. Hell, just the watering restrictions and bans alone would starve you.
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[greendoctor]

We gave up on just fert and squirt. All new accounts need to give us the whole package irrigation fert pesticide mow blow and all new installs. We now have over 3700 properties and it's the only way to do the job.
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That is how all of the companies work here. Problem is, those companies do not value a pest and fertility management specialist within their organization. They also do not want to invest in the equipment needed to do things the right way. I cannot think of any company here that has a spray truck. Mine has a lock box for the concentrates, skid sprayer on the bed plus space for my engine drive backpacks. I had to get out on my own to progress. My best properties are the ones where I can communicate with their mowing guy, who then does what is best for the turf. Bermuda, seashore paspalum and zoysia are to be mowed at less than an inch, centipede or st augustine at 4". Many of the big companies that do it all "jack-of-all-trades" are more like something else. Their only saving grace is how cheap they are.

[A.T.A.K]

Well I think I made it through my 1st week lol. Second I hold the pest certs it's worked well for us and we are by far not the cheapest around. This why I stopped posting here when your company is as large as one of my routes maybe I will value your opion. Till then I shall keep going the way I am.
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[cgaengineer]

Well I think I made it through my 1st week lol. Second I hold the pest certs it's worked well for us and we are by far not the cheapest around. This why I stopped posting here when your company is as large as one of my routes maybe I will value your opion. Till then I shall keep going the way I am.
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So if if my company isn't as large as one of your routes nothing I say is worthy? That's an elitist comment.
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[A.T.A.K]

No you think all pest companies are bad you have a scab mentality. I started as a one man operation but did my time paid my dues worked my butt off to get where I am. I did not spend days on end crying the blues on this washed up fourm
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[cgaengineer]

No you think all pest companies are bad you have a scab mentality.
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I do? Please show me where I said this...you are misinformed buddy. I nowhere said pest control companies are bad, not even close...why don't you re-read my posts and maybe learn something. I also do not have a scab mentality...I am probably higher up on the food chain maintaining turf than 95% of the companies around me. I also have experience maintaining bermuda lawns at 1" and less with a reel mower. I don't know many scabs with reel mowers. So you got the wrong "scab".

I am for less restrictions for acquiring a license so that it would almost eliminate illegal applicators.
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[cgaengineer]

I think its your buddy Ric who thinks anyone with a pesticide license outside the state of FL is bad.
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[Ric]

I think its your buddy Ric who thinks anyone with a pesticide license outside the state of FL is bad.
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CGA

From the question I read here on Lawnsite, I see very little real knowledge displaced. The fact is there are way to many states that have no training requirements for a pesticide license. Grant you NY, Mich, & Calf. do to name a few. But You are still arguing with no Dog in the Fight. If you have a Pesticide license, then it is to your advantage for it to be very hard to get because you are grandfathered in. If you want a Florida Pesticide License then PAY YOUR DUES like the rest of us.

Green Doctor

There are more than just one Cultivar of St Augustine and the Dwarf Cultivars Like Jade, Delmar, & Seville to name a few do very nicely when cut at 2.5 inches.

Tim

Before Hurricane Charlie I had the full service Landscape business including a Wholesale Nursery I was in the process of turning retail. New Landscape installs were a big part of my business. But it was my Pesticide and Irrigation License that really made the business grow over night. What the average Yard Boy fails to understand is networking with others to provide full service. They are so afraid someone will make a dollar off their customer. It is the old can't see the forest for the trees. By Networking you do what you do best and leave the Rest. The customer bonds to you because you are a source of all service PROVIDERS. BTW after Hurricane Charlie with my children not interested in my business, I sold out because I was already at retirement age.

[greendoctor]

Those cultivars of st augustine are not propagated and used in my state. It is mostly common, followed by some Floratam.

[Ric]

Those cultivars of st augustine are not propagated and used in my state. It is mostly common, followed by some Floratam.

Greendoctor

That is the reason I don't post in Threads about other states. If I don't have local knowledge I don't offer my 2 cent.