What is the main characteristic of a commercial not-for-hire applicator?

The main characteristic of a commercial not-for-hire applicator is that they only apply pesticides to sites that they or their employer controls. This means that their applications are limited to designated areas where they have ownership or operational authority, which typically aligns with internal pest management practices rather than providing services to external clients. This approach distinguishes their role from other applicators who might take on various contracts or work on diverse properties that do not belong to them.

In contrast, those who apply pesticides on behalf of clients are typically classified as commercial applicators who are hired for their services, and those operating under contracts indicate a formal agreement to perform services, which may not be characteristic of not-for-hire applicators. Similarly, the stipulation of only working on private agricultural land does not encompass the broader range of sites a not-for-hire applicator might operate on, as their work can extend to any site within their control, not limited strictly to agricultural contexts.