Illegal, Counterfeit, Canceled, and Restricted Pesticides
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Illegal, Counterfeit, Canceled, and Restricted Pesticides
Illegal Pesticides
Illegal pesticides include products sold or distributed in the U.S. without being evaluated and registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They may be sold or distributed on the street, online, or in stores. Illegal pesticides are often sold without directions or warnings on their labels. Sometimes their packages make false claims like "harmless to human beings and animals" or "safe to use," but they could be more toxic than legal products.
Illegal pesticides may enter the United States from foreign countries. They may be sold online where they are difficult to regulate. Even if they are legal in a different country, they might be illegal in the U.S. Common illegal pesticides include "Tres Pasitos", "Miraculous or Chinese Chalk", or "Sniper/No Pest with DDVP". Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency with questions about illegal pesticides.
It is also illegal to distribute misbranded or adulterated pesticides and pesticides with missing or incorrect label information. This includes pesticides sold without their original packaging.
Counterfeit Pesticides
Counterfeit pesticides are illegal. Their packaging may look like a legal product, but their contents do not match the label. Counterfeit products may have different concentrations of active ingredients than the legal version. They may contain cheaper, more toxic, ingredients. Because of this, counterfeit pesticides can be ineffective or dangerous to people, pets, and the environment. One example is counterfeit versions of flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats.
Remember these tips to avoid buying illegal or counterfeit pesticides:
- Buy products from reputable stores.
- Use caution when buying pesticides online. Avoid internet deals that seem too good to be true.
- Never buy pesticides that do not have English instructions.
- Ensure the product has a proper label that includes an EPA Registration number or look for a Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) exemption statement. Exempted products are minimum risk pesticides and have their own set of requirements.
- Make sure the label clearly identifies the active ingredient names. All pesticide products list the active ingredient(s) clearly on the label.
If you think you purchased an illegal product, report it to your state pesticide regulatory agency. Report illegal online sales to your regional EPA office or to EPA's enforcement branch.
Canceled Pesticides
The U.S. EPA cancels pesticides when their registration expires and is not re-registered. Pesticides may also be canceled for other reasons. For example, the company may request cancellation, or the EPA could remove uses based on new knowledge about health risks. You can search for information about active and canceled products here. The EPA publishes cancellations and other changes in the Federal Register.
Restricted Pesticides
Only certified pesticide applicators can buy or use restricted use pesticide products. These applicators undergo required training, testing, and education. Restricted use products must include the text "Restricted Use Pesticide" on the front panel of the label.
If you suspect someone was exposed to an illegal product, call Poison Control immediately at 800-222-1222 for medical advice.
Additional Resources:
- Report Environmental Violations (report illegal online sales) - U.S. EPA
- Avoid Illegal Pesticide Products - U.S. EPA
- Buying Pesticides Online - Washington State Department of Health
- Avoid Counterfeit Pesticide Products for Dogs and Cats - U.S. EPA
- Restricted and canceled Pesticides - U.S. EPA
- Restricted Use Products Report - U.S. EPA
- Pesticide Alerts - U.S. EPA
- Federal Register - U.S. Government Printing Office
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@oregonstate.edu.
Last updated November 25, 2025