Pest control company to pay DC nearly $140,000 for illegal pesticide application: Attorney general

A Maryland-based pest control company has agreed to pay Washington, D.C., nearly $140,000 after allegedly polluting the city with toxic chemicals.

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s office accused Kenmore Pest Control & Termite Services of illegally and repeatedly applying pesticides in the district, endangering residents and harming the city’s natural resources.

Kenmore regularly works in Washington and employs approximately 20 people, according to the attorney general’s office.

City inspectors observed the pest control company improperly applying harmful pesticides around two apartment complexes, Mayfair Mansion Apartments in Ward 7 and Columbia Heights Village in Ward 1, according to Schwalb’s office.

At Mayfair Mansion Apartments, Kenmore applied a chemical harmful to humans and highly toxic to birds, fish, and wildlife, according to the attorney general’s office. The district intervened, incurring $12,000 in expenses for cleaning up the contaminated soil.

At Columbia Heights Village, the company allegedly applied a dangerous pesticide in areas accessible to children and pets. WTOP reported that a resident’s dog was poisoned after consuming the pesticide and had to have its stomach pumped at the vet.

Kenmore also allowed unqualified employees to apply restricted-use pesticides for years and misled consumers about its illegal practices, according to Schwalb’s office.

“Washingtonians have a right to be safe from toxic contamination in their homes and neighborhoods,” Schwalb said in a statement. “This settlement continues to make clear that if you violate our environmental protection laws, damage our natural resources, and threaten the health and safety of our residents, the Office of Attorney General will hold you accountable.”

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Kenmore must pay $125,000 in civil penalties to the district and $12,006 in clean-up costs.

The company’s employees must also receive eight hours of pest management training from a course approved by the district, Maryland, or Virginia.