Dear Legislator,
As a property manager in your district, I am writing to voice my concerns about a state regulatory matter with potentially far-reaching ramifications to our community.
Specifically, the California Department of Pesticide Regulations (CDPR) is considering imposing dramatic and unnecessary restrictions on termite and other fumigations to kill pests in homes and apartments. These fumigations are the best way to get rid of such pests infesting the residents of our multi-family dwellings. (i.e. apartment, condos, etc.)
In a best-case scenario, my residents would be forced to stay out of their properties for anywhere from 3 to 5 days depending on what day a fumigation takes place (as opposed to 2 days) . Many of these people do not have anywhere to stay or the means to pay for a hotel room for their families. At times people sleep in their cars due to not having family or the money to pay for an addition lodging.
In a worst-case scenario, these properties will not be able to be fumigated at all. This will result in increasingly poor living conditions; it also will compromise the structural integrity of our properties; this could lead not only to an inability to sell the properties, but also makes them more likely to be vulnerable to collapse during an earthquake.
It is my understanding that California already has the world’s most stringent regulations in this area and that there is no new scientific evidence or public health issue that warrants any change to the current process. In all my years managing properties, I have never had a problem with a fumigation.
On behalf of our community, I would appreciate your review of this matter and ask for your support in requesting CDPR to refrain from imposing any new regulations that are not grounded in science or public health, but will only hurt our residents and businesses.