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Alternatives to Pesticides
WHY USE ALTERNATIVES?
Pesticides are among the most widely-used chemicals in the world, but are also among the most hazardous to human health, sometimes causing serious acute and chronic health effects.
Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Although these products are designed to kill insects, weeds, and fungi, there is no guarantee that they can fully get rid of these pests. In fact, by using pesticides, insects that are beneficial to the garden ecosystem may also be destroyed. Pesticides are not worth the risk to our bodies and to the environment.
Alternatives to pesticides are generally more appropriate and less harmful to humans and the environment in the long run. Such alternatives often involve implementing better gardening strategies that solve pest problems in a natural, long-lasting way. Alternatives are also less harmful to the applicator and other people in the area. Making a difference in the environment can begin in our own backyards!
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
- Pesticide Wise, a website maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, on which extensive information is posted for ranchers, farmers, growers, crop consultants, pest managers, and horticulturalists about the safe use of pesticides in BC.
- The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) main page, an agency in Health Canada that regulates pesticides
- The label search page, where all the registered pesticide labels in Canada can be found
- the PMRA's healthy lawns page
ALTERNATIVES FOR TREATING COMMON PESTS
If the pest you are looking for is not found below, try one of these links for more information on pests and alternatives to pesticides:
***It is NOT a good idea to make your own pesticides at home. Click here to find out why this can be dangerous.***
Alternatives Index:
Ants
Aphids
Blackberry
Dandelions
Houseflies
Mosquitoes
Slugs and Snails
Spiders
White Pine Weevils
Yellowjackets
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