Parabug
Stated by the operator, not checked by us
Salinas-based drone biocontrol company; patent-pending insect release technology; UC extension-backed research on drone-released lacewings for aphid control
Founded in 2016, Parabug has built a California and Idaho equipment rental practice covering row crops grown in the region. From a Salinas base, the crew covers California and Idaho growers inside the California region. Commercial drone applicators in California need FAA Part 137 plus an aerial category endorsement on a state pesticide applicator license issued by CDPR (CalEPA).
Operations are based in the California region.
Services offered
Equipment used
Certifications & compliance
The operator told us each of these. Anything we matched against a public record is shown with the date we checked it, at the top of this page.
States served (2)
Aerial pesticide licensing in states served
Every state requires a pesticide applicator license with the aerial category endorsement on top of FAA Part 137. The agencies that issue these licenses in Parabug's service area:
- California: Any commercial drone spray over California fields needs CDPR Unmanned Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate, issued by CDPR (CalEPA).
- Idaho: aerial pesticide work runs through Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) under Category AA: Aerial Applicators.
Full agency, exam and renewal-cycle details by state are catalogued on the state pesticide licensing reference.
Verify and resources
Primary-source references for verifying credentials and looking up state-specific rules in Parabug's service area.
Frequently asked questions
Verifying Parabug runs through three independent checks: Part 107 via the FAA Airmen Inquiry, Part 137 via the issuing FAA Flight Standards office and the state aerial-category pesticide applicator license via the receiving state's department of agriculture. In California the state credential is issued by CDPR (CalEPA); you can ask the operator for the applicator license number and verify it with the agency directly. Pair that with a current chemical-drift COI and the Section 44807 exemption number for due diligence.
Typical drone spraying rates of $12 to $22 per acre in the region is application-only. The chemical, the surfactants and the adjuvants are farmer-supplied. The rate covers calibration, RTK GPS flight planning, the labor to fly the field, mixing and loading from your product, plus the FIFRA Part 170 application record: date, time, product, EPA reg number, rate, weather, field ID. Then watch four surcharges. Travel past a stated radius. Weekend or emergency turnaround. Terrain and obstruction add-ons. A minimum-acreage floor on a small field. Confirm every one of them in writing.