Comox Valley Regional District

The way we choose to manage pests in our yards is important for the well-being of our families and the environment. The risk of low-level pesticide exposure to the health and safety of the public, especially children, is uncertain. Just as we seek to reduce our exposure to other contaminants in our food, air and water, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is moving toward the elimination of non-essential pesticide use.

Local Pesticide Alternatives

ACTIVE INGREDIENT OR PRODUCT GROUPING	CLASS
acetic acid	Domestic
animal repellents except thiram	Domestic & Commercial
anti-fouling paints	Domestic & Commercial
antisapstain wood preservatives used on private, industrial land owned by the company or person responsible for applying the preservatives	Commercial
asphalt solids used as pruning paints	Domestic & Commercial
bactericides used in petroleum products	Domestic & Commercial
boron compounds	Domestic
boron compounds with up to 5% copper for insect control and wood preservation	Domestic & Commercial
capsaicin	Domestic, Commercial & Restricted
cleansers	Domestic & Commercial
corn cellulose	Domestic & Commercial
corn gluten	Domestic & Commercial
deodorizers	Domestic & Commercial
d-phenothrin	Domestic
d-trans-allethrin, also referred to as d-cis, trans allethrin	Domestic
fatty acids	Domestic & Commercial
ferric phosphate	Domestic & Commercial
ferrous sulphate	Domestic & Commercial
formic acid	Domestic & Commercial
hard surface disinfectants	Domestic & Commercial
insect repellents	Domestic
insect semiochemicals, including pheromones, kairomones, attractants and repellents	Domestic & Commercial
insecticides sold and used in tamper- resistant bait stations	Domestic
kaolin	Domestic & Commercial
laundry additives	Domestic & Commercial
material preservatives	Domestic & Commercial
methoprene	Domestic
mineral oils for insect and mite control	Domestic
naphthalene for fabric protection	Domestic
n-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide	Domestic
octenol	Domestic & Commercial
oxalic acid	Domestic & Commercial
paradichlorobenzene for fabric protection	Domestic
pesticides in aerosol containers	Domestic
pesticides registered under the federal Act for application to pets	Domestic & Commercial
piperonyl butoxide	Domestic
plant growth regulators	Domestic
polybutene bird repellents	Domestic & Commercial
pyrethrins	Domestic
resmethrin	Domestic
silica aerogel, also referred to as silica gel, amorphous silica and amorphous silica gel	Domestic & Commercial
silicon dioxide, also referred to as diatomaceous earth	Domestic & Commercial
slimicides	Commercial
soaps	Domestic & Commercial
sulphur, including lime sulphur, sulphide sulphur and calcium polysulphide	Domestic
surfactants	Domestic & Commercial
swimming pool algicides and bactericides	Domestic & Commercial
tetramethrin	Domestic
thymol	Domestic & Commercial
wood preservatives	Domestic
zinc strips	Domestic

For More Information

For answers to commonly asked questions about pesticides, and pesticide alternatives, visit our Pesticides FAQs page. To explore community organizations working to reduce the use of pesticides in the Comox Valley, view our Pesticide Resources page.

Health and Safety

Using traditional pesticides comes with a certain level of risk. Product labels provide some information on these risks, which range from minor skin or eye irritation to poisoning and death, depending on the product and type of exposure. Some pesticides can produce noxious and/or explosive gases if combined with other materials or mixed or applied using the wrong type of container.

Environmental

Many chemical pesticides can pollute the soil or groundwater and can persist for long periods of time. If pesticides are unintentionally washed into storm water collection systems, creeks, streams or other water bodies may become polluted.

Protecting Non-Target Species

Chemical pesticides may potentially cause accidental injury or death to aquatic organisms, birds, mammals and beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. Microorganisms in your lawn and garden can also be harmed, reducing their ability to enrich the soil and provide nutrients for plants. The more toxic and the more you use, the greater the risk.

Supporting Healthier Communities

Many communities across Canada are exploring methods of reducing pesticide use through alternative methods. A large number of municipalities have bylaws limiting the application of pesticides for certain uses. Collectively, these initiatives reflect a movement toward a safer, more environmentally sensitive approach to pest management. The Comox Valley, with its reputation for healthy living and a pristine environment, is aptly suited to be part of this movement.
Tips for a Healthier Lawn and Garden
- Ensure soil is healthy and has adequate drainage, add compost in the fall and spring. Water deeply but infrequently to maintain a strong root structure
- Try companion planting
- Plant a variety of grasses or other ground covers
- Mow high and use sharp blades (21/2 – 3 inches)
- Physical or mechanical controls - pulling weeds, pouring hot water/vinegar, sticky traps etc.
- Biological controls - beneficial insects, pheromones.
- Low – toxicity pesticides - soaps, oils, pyrethrins.
- Control – Don’t Eliminate – its only necessary to supress pests and weeds to low, non-damaging levels, not to entirely eliminate them.
- Attract beneficial insects with flowering herbs, try planting extra herbs that you let go to flower.
- Investigate the underlying cause of the problem – drainage, nutrients, plant species or placement etc.
- Try natural treatments, such as this natural fungicide – 1 tbsp. each of baking soda and horticultural oil diluted in 4 litres of water – spray on leaves to eliminate fungal diseases.

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Pesticide Alternatives

Local Pesticide Alternatives

For More Information