SWFL.io - Local NewsChief WINK Investigates Reporter Chorus Nylander
•6/16/2026
ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched an investigation after WINK Investigates revealed a social media post by a former manager at an Arcadia farm supply store who claims her superiors did not take enough safety precautions during a chemical treatment for pests.
Melissa Silpe, a former assistant sales manager at the Tractor Supply Company in Arcadia, publicly shared on Facebook that she resigned from her position over the incident. Silpe alleges that customer, animal, and employee safety protocols were not serious enough during a recent chemical fogging for mites.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees feed quality across the state, told WINK Investigates it had not received any complaints surrounding the accusations but after being made aware of the claims it has launched an investigation into the matter.
Silpe, an Arcadia resident and goat breeder, who says her love of animals initially drew her to work at Tractor Supply, had hoped to climb the corporate ladder to become a store manager. However, she abruptly walked away from her position as a sales manager following a mite treatment at the beginning of June.
In her widely shared Facebook post, Silpe wrote, "I will not be involved in poisoning anyone's animal."
Silpe claims that proper safety procedures were not followed by her superiors, alleging that animal feed and merchandise were left uncovered during the chemical fogging. Furthermore, she alleges that five staff members entered the store the following morning while it was still foggy, leading to sudden health issues among the employees.
"Somebody failed in not telling them [not] to enter the building," Silpe said. Despite the pushback, she stands by her decision to go public. "I feel like that was my opinion and I stated it and I will say it again... I am glad I said something."
Tractor Supply Company Denies Claims
Corporate representatives for Tractor Supply Company are pushing back against Silpe's account, calling the allegations inaccurate.
In a statement provided to WINK Investigates, the company acknowledged they recently dealt with a "limited mite issue" at the Arcadia location but maintained that all safety protocols were strictly followed. According to the company, a licensed pest-control provider was brought in to handle the treatment.
"The store remained closed during treatment, animals were removed, and Team Members were not permitted to enter until it was deemed safe," the company statement read.
When questioned about how potentially exposed animal feed was protected, a spokesperson stated they worked closely with their pest-control provider and followed all recommended safety guidelines.
Tractor Supply declined to comment on Silpe’s resignation or the allegations of staff members becoming ill, stating, “Because this matter involves personnel-related issues and a former Team Member, we will not comment on individual employment matters.”
Full Tractor Supply Statement:
“We are aware of a social media post from a former Team Member regarding safety conditions at our Arcadia, Florida store. We take these claims seriously, and immediate steps were taken to address the issue at the time. We have reviewed the circumstances and found that the information provided to you is not accurate.
After a limited mite issue was identified, the store team immediately contacted our licensed pest-control provider, who began treatment efforts the same day. Throughout the remediation process, established safety protocols were followed. The store remained closed during treatment, animals were removed prior to treatment, and Team Members were not permitted to enter the building until it was deemed safe to do so.
The remediation was completed under the guidance of our pest-control provider, and the issue was resolved promptly.
Because this matter involves personnel-related issues and a former Team Member, we will not comment on individual employment matters.
We believe a welcoming environment starts with safety, which is why the well-being of our customers, Team Members and animals is always our top priority.”
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