Tractor Supply denies pest control safety lapses, current Arcadia employees push back

ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK) — A Southwest Florida farm supply store is facing scrutiny as the state investigates allegations of possibly dangerous chemical exposure following a pest control treatment.

While corporate representatives for Tractor Supply Company have fiercely denied any safety lapses during a recent pest treatment at their Arcadia location, current insiders are now breaking their silence. Speaking exclusively to WINK Investigates, two current employees backed up claims originally made by a former manager, alleging that staff members were sent into a building still thick with chemical fog.

The controversy began earlier this month when Melissa Silpe, a former assistant sales manager, abruptly resigned. Silpe went public online, accusing store management of failing to take proper safety precautions during a chemical treatment for a mite infestation at the beginning of June. She alleged that animal feed was left exposed and that staff were ordered into the building prematurely, allegedly causing several employees to fall ill.

WINK Investigates broke the story June 16. At the time, Tractor Supply released a statement claiming the store remained closed during treatment, animals were removed, and team members were only permitted back inside once it was deemed safe.

However, current employees still working at the Arcadia store tell a completely different story. Fearing retaliation and the loss of their jobs, they spoke to Chief WINK Investigates Reporter Chorus Nylander under the condition of anonymity.

"They said it’s fine to go in," one worker recalled of the morning after the chemical treatment. "It's still foggy in the store, but it’s fine to go in."

According to the employees, a group of six team members went in and four of them immediately began experiencing symptoms—including coughing, wheezing, and severe nausea—the moment they stepped inside.

"There’s days I’ve had to take off because I can’t take my head off my pillow," the first employee stated, noting they suffered from a severe headache for five days before seeking medical attention at a hospital.

When the affected staff contacted Terminix—the pest control company responsible for the fogging—the response was alarming. "They said, 'You definitely shouldn’t be in there,'" the employee told WINK Investigates.

A second current worker confirmed the account, adding that local management quickly brushed off their health concerns. According to the employee, managers told them they were "making a big deal out of it" and strictly ordered the staff not to say a word to customers.

Regulatory Agencies Step In

The mounting complaints have triggered action from regulatory bodies. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) initially confirmed it had launched a formal investigation into the incident.

Now, WINK Investigates has learned that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may also be looking into the Arcadia location. In response to a public records request regarding the store, OSHA sent a letter stating it will not produce any records at this point, a common protocol during active reviews.

When pressed about the specific claims made by these current employees, Terminix and Tractor Supply pivoted to their cooperation with state investigators.

WINK Investigates asked Terminix what specific chemicals were used in the store and whether they were aware employees had entered before the air cleared. The company did not answer those questions directly, issuing a statement instead:

"We take all safety inquiries seriously and, while we investigate this matter, we are collaborating with state officials to support their ongoing review."

Tractor Supply Company also declined to address how the new eyewitness accounts contradict their previous safety assurances. A spokesperson provided a brief updated statement:

"We have been in contact with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and are cooperating fully with them regarding this matter."

As state and federal officials continue their reviews, the workplace fallout in Arcadia grows. The two current employees who came forward stated they no longer feel safe inside the building and are actively seeking employment elsewhere.

WINK Investigates will continue to follow up on this case as things develop.

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