D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced that Kenmore Pest Control & Termite Service LLC (Kenmore) will pay $137,000 in penalties and environmental clean-up costs after allegations that the company repeatedly and illegally applied pesticides, endangering District residents and damaging the city’s natural resources.
“Washingtonians have a right to be safe from toxic contamination in their homes and neighborhoods,” said Schwalb.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation revealed that Kenmore, based in Forestville, Maryland, violated District law by improperly applying highly toxic pesticides around apartment complexes: Columbia Heights Village in Ward 1 and Mayfair Mansion Apartments in Ward 7.
A dangerous pesticide was applied to areas accessible to children and pets at Columbia Heights Village.
“This haphazard application of a dangerous pesticide led to a dog being poisoned. The dog’s owner, a District resident, incurred significant expenses because he had to take his dog to the veterinarian where his dog had his stomach pumped and other treatment,” according to the complaint against Kenmore.
At Mayfair Mansion Apartments, Kenmore applied a chemical harmful to humans and highly toxic to birds, fish, and wildlife. The District government was forced to intervene to protect the environment and human health, incurring over $12,000 in expenses cleaning up the contaminated soil.
Further, Kenmore allowed unqualified employees to apply pesticides for years. According to the company’s records, from 2019-2022, employees without legally required licenses or registrations applied restricted use pesticides. Additionally, Kenmore misled consumers, saying it complied with District law and claiming its employees were fully vetted.
Kenmore will enter a three-year probationary period through which the OAG can ensure quick consequences for future violation of environment laws. Additionally, the company’s workers are also barred from applying pesticides until they are properly trained.
Specifics of the settlement agreement include the $137,000 in penalties and clean-up costs. The District will receive $125,000 in civil penalties and $12,006 to cover the city’s costs to clean up environmental contamination at the Mayfair Mansion Apartments.
Kenmore’s current employers are barred from applying pesticides until they receive eight hours of continuing education training in pest management from a training course approved by the District, Maryland and Virginia. The company also must comply with District law moving forward.
“This settlement continues to make clear 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,” said Schwalb.