Pest Control

The term pesticide refers to herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. Designed to kill "pests," this group of chemicals can also threaten the health of humans and natural ecosystems. Residues can contaminate aquatic ecosystems for generations.

Before you decide to use pesticides, don't assume every insect that you see in your garden or house is bad. Ninety percent of insects you find are not harmful, and many are beneficial. Pollution Probe also offers some food for thought: some birds eat close to their weight in insects every day! However, when birds eat many insects laced with pesticides, they can get sick and die. Then we have fewer birds and more insects.

What You Can Do

• Properly identifying insects (harmful or beneficial).
• Learn about companion planting i.e., onions planted near carrots can help keep rust flies off the carrots. Then plant borders (e.g., marigolds) that naturally repel insects.
• Encourage native ladybugs, praying mantises and other insect-eating critters to set up residence in your garden.
• Never apply pesticides to bare or eroded ground, and do not apply if heavy rain is forecast (unless the label specifies a need for water after application).
• Buy chemical pesticides only if absolutely necessary, and then only purchase the quantity you need. Read the labels carefully and never apply near wells, streams, ponds, or marshes.
• Never pour pesticides into toilets or storm drains. Keep all toxic materials in an area away from children and pets until your municipality holds a household hazardous waste collection day.
• In case of a small pesticide spill, do not hose down the area. Sprinkle sawdust, cat litter or some absorbent material over the spill. Sweep the material into a sturdy bag and store the bag until it can be taken to a hazardous waste collection site.
• Some lawn services advertise the use of environmentally sensitive, biologically based treatments. Consider these companies as alternatives.
• Wrap seedlings in newspaper strips, aluminum foil, or plastic to repel cutworms.
• Repel ants from your garden or patio with strategically placed lemon peels, damp coffee grounds, bone meal, or lines of chalk.
• Discourage garden pests. Blend three hot peppers, half an onion and one clove of garlic with four litres of warm water. Let stand for two days. Strain, then spray on plants.