Vancouver Park Board

Pest Problems

Parks IPM Policy

It is the policy of the Board of Parks and Recreation that park maintenance and pest control be conducted through an Integrated Pest Management approach. An Integrated Pest Management approach is the best combination of cultural, biological and chemical methods that are used in an environmentally-sound way to maintain pest populations below damaging levels.

Pest control materials and activities should:

minimize hazard to human health and nontarget organisms
minimize hazard to the general environment
be most likely to bring about a long-term reduction in pest populations
be cost effective

Physical, cultural and biological control methods shall receive priority consideration for managing pest problems. Chemical control strategies shall be used only where a mix of other strategies is inadequate and pest damage is above tolerable levels. (Bylaw 9535 restricts the use of chemical controls in the City of Vancouver.)

Free public access facilities shall have no or minimal pesticide use. This includes general turf areas in playgrounds, picnic areas, passive areas and sportsfields, flower and shrub beds, medians, and street trees. Where pesticides need to be used, a high preference will be given to the use of Schedule 5 pesticides.

Maintenance of areas having controlled public access shall have use of registered pesticides in accordance with applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation.

Posting sites where pesticides are used shall be in accordance with City bylaws.

Park facilities shall be constantly monitored for pest populations so that the appropriate treatment may be applied in a timely manner and the effectiveness of such treatment assessed.