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Pesticide Use

The City of Kamloops is a leader in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In our practise of IPM, we only use chemical pesticides as a last resort and only after following all of the IPM steps. 

History

  • 2001: The City adopted a city-wide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Master Plan. The plan lays out a strategy for responsible pest management in public and private green spaces.
  • 2006: The City formed a pesticide use committee to research pesticide bylaws and alternatives to chemical-based pesticide control. The committee, comprising various groups and agencies in the community, provided recommendations to Council on the future of pesticide use in Kamloops. 
  • 2008: The City launched the Healthy Landscapes, Healthy Living education campaign.
  • 2010: The Pesticide Use Control Bylaw came into effect.
  • 2015/2016: New bylaw.

Pesticide Bylaw

What are excluded pesticides?

Excluded pesticides = ALLOWED pesticides.

Kamloops residents may use allowed pesticides that only contain the active ingredients listed on the excluded pesticide list.

What are noxious weeds and invasive plants?

Invasive alien plants are non-native plants that have found their way into a region that they would not naturally be found.  Noxious weeds are invasive plants that are designated by regulation to be noxious. See the complete list of noxious weeds and invasive plants, as designated by the Southern Interior Weed Management Committee.

What are pesticides?

Pesticide is a term that broadly refers to all formulations that are used to prevent, destroy, repel, attract, or reduce pest organisms. Some of the more commonly known pesticides are:

  • herbicides (for plants)
  • insecticides (for insects)
  • fungicides (for fungus)
  • miticides (for mites)

Some pesticides are considered higher risk, and others are deemed lower risk (commonly used by organic farmers). Read our Pesticide Bylaw Resource Guide for more information.

What are the exceptions?

  • excluded pesticides
  • fruit tree and vegetable gardens
  • noxious weeds and insects (as defined in the bylaw)
  • hard landscapes (e.g. patios and sidewalks)
  • agricultural land and farms
  • greenhouses
  • mosquito control and other pests that transmit human disease
  • pests that impact agriculture or forestry

What can I do with unused pesticides?

Unused domestic pesticides may be taken to a paint plus depot such as the Mission Flats Landfill. If you have a jug of something you are not sure about, you may take it to a free drop-off event like the City's Hazardous Household and Electronic Waste Drop-off event.

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

IPM is an approach that uses a combination of techniques to control weeds, damaging insects or disease, and other nuisances in an effective, economical, and environmentally sound manner.

The five steps of IPM are:

  1. Identify if there is a pest and what it is.
  2. Monitor for the amounts of damage.
  3. Determine the acceptable injury level.
  4. Treat with a method that is appropriate.
  5. Evaluate success.

What is the City doing?

Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers 

The City practises good plant health care to prevent pest problems and follows IPM when a pest problem arises. Only ALLOWED pesticides may be applied on City trees, shrubs, and flower beds.

Turf 

The prohibition does not apply to turf on City lands. The City has a thorough turf health program, and practices IPM. Chemical pesticides are only used on premier sports field turf and are only used as a last resort after going through all other steps in the IPM process. 

Since the bylaw does not apply to hard landscapes, the City can and does use pesticides on areas such as sidewalks.

Why is there an exception for fruit trees and vegetable gardens?

There are limits on what Council can regulate. It only has the authority to regulate the use of pesticides on ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf on residental properties.