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Pesticide Use Restriction By-law for 2006

Why grow natural? Trust nature.

In natural landscapes, plant life isn’t given constant attention and doesn’t live on a diet of store-bought chemicals. As a result, the City of Vancouver is committed to reduce the use of pesticides in urban areas for a healthy sustainable city. On July 12, 2005 Vancouver City Council enacted a by-law to restrict the use of pesticides. This by-law will come into effect on January 1, 2006.

What is this by-law to restrict the use of pesticides?

As of January 1, 2006, the use of outdoor pesticides on lawns and in gardens will be regulated by section 5.17 of the Health By-law No. 6580 (amended by By-law No. 9071). The application of these pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, will be restricted. Certain conditions will need to be met before pesticides may be applied, such as controlling an infestation or destroying a health hazard. However, the by-law will allow the use of certain reduced risk products on lawns and in gardens.

Why does Vancouver need this by-law?

The use of pesticides on lawns and in gardens around the City does present a potential health risk, especially to children, as well as a risk to the environment and other non-target organisms. The concern of the general public over pesticide use arises from the many unanswered questions surrounding pesticides. These include:

• Potential adverse impacts of pesticides on human health (particularly for children);
• Involuntary exposure to pesticides (e.g from herbicide applications on neighbouring lawns);
• Incomplete testing of pesticides, toxic impurities in some pesticides, the toxicity of inert ingredients in pesticides;
• Potential adverse impacts of pesticides on non-target organisms such as birds and wildlife;
• Potential for environmental contamination;
• Reliance on chemical pesticide use in urban environments, particularly unnecessary use of pesticides to control dandelions and other weeds on residential properties; and
• Increasing resistance of some pests to pesticides.

What is a pesticide?

A pesticide is any substance or mixture intended to prevent, destroy, repel, attract, or mitigate any pest. Target pests include any living organism that causes damage or economic loss, or transmits or produces disease. Pests can be insects, birds, rodents, unwanted plants (weeds), or microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses). Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

Who will be affected by this by-law?

Everyone who applies or permits the application of pesticides for uses restricted by this by-law. This will include homeowners, renters, landscape professionals and lawn care companies. This by-law will not distinguish between public and private lands.

Will I still be able to use pesticides?

Yes. Pesticides may be used under the conditions listed in the by-law. These conditions include water purification, swimming pool disinfection, control of health hazards, control of rodents and termites, wood preservation, control of an infestation and within an enclosed building. Enclosed insect bait stations and insect repellents for personal use are also permitted.

Which pesticides will I still be able to use on lawns and in gardens?

The by-law will permit the use of certain reduced risk products. These products must be or must contain only the following active ingredient:

• acetic acid
• animal repellents except thiram
• anti-fouling paints
• antisapstain wood preservatives
• asphalt solids (pruning paints)
• bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk)
• bactericides used in petroleum products
• boron compounds
• boron compounds with up to 5% copper for insect control and wood preservation
• capsaicin
• cleansers
• corn gluten meal
• d-phenothryn
• d-trans-allethrin, also referred to as d-cis, trans allethrin
• deodorizers
• fatty acids
• ferric phosphate
• ferrous sulphate
• hard surface disinfectants
• insect bait stations
• insect pheromones
• insect repellents
• laundry additives
• material preservatives
• methoprene
• mineral oils for insect and mite control
• n-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide
• naphthalene for fabric protection
• paradichlorobenzene for fabric protection
• pesticides in aerosol containers
• pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act ( Canada ) for application to pets
• piperonyl butoxide
• plant growth regulators
• polybutene bird repellents
• pyrethrins
• resmethrin
• rotenone
• silica aerogel, also referred to as silica gel, amorphous silica and amorphous silica gel
• silicon dioxide, also referred to as "diatomaceous earth"
• slimicides
• soaps
• sulphur, including lime sulphur, sulphide sulphur and calcium polysulphide
• surfactants
• swimming pool algicides and bactericides
• tetramethrin
• wood preservatives

How do I control those stubborn insect and weed problems without pesticides?

The best way to protect your garden is to keep it healthy. With the use of common gardening practices to keep your plants vigorous and your soil healthy, your garden will not only resist pests and diseases but also encourage beneficial garden life. Start with a good diversity of plants, plant them in the right place and inspect them regularly for pests and diseases.

For specific tips on lawn and garden care, please visit the various sections of this web site or call 604.736.2250 for advice or to sign up for a pest control or garden care workshop.

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Comments or questions? Send us e-mail: composthotline@telus.net or call 604.736.2250

© , City of Vancouver, Engineering Services
Last Modified: Friday, July 24, 2009