Municipal Affairs and Environment
September 19, 2017

Public Advisory: Tips for Safe Use of Pesticides

When residents choose to use pesticides in their homes and gardens, they must ensure that those pesticides are registered with Health Canada and that label directions are followed for safe and proper use.

Any pesticide that is made, imported, sold, and used in Canada undergoes a scientific review by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Registered pesticides are given a Pest Control Product number, which means they are permitted to be sold in Canada. Using unregistered pesticides can cause serious harm to you, your family, pets, and the environment. 

After confirming the pesticide has a Pest Control Product number on the label, following the label directions and warnings is the most important action that a user can take to ensure they use the product safely and correctly.

Tips for safe use of pesticides:

  • Use only products registered for use in Canada. Consumers can find out about registered products and active ingredients using Health Canada’s online product label search or the new Pesticide Labels free mobile app;
  • Follow all label warnings and directions, and only use a pesticide for its stated purpose;
  • Wear protective clothing, gloves, and other equipment, as specified on the product label;
  • Federal guidelines recommend not spraying a pesticide outdoors if wind speed is more than 8 km per hour, if the air temperature is above 30°C, or if it is raining;
  • Avoid homemade recipes – these products are not tested nor do they have labels. It is especially dangerous to boil a product on the stove, or to use ingredients such as gasoline, kerosene, or boric acid;
  • Store pesticides out of the reach of children and pets;
  • If you suspect poisoning, call 911 immediately;
  • When in doubt, hire a professional licensed pest control operator; and
  • Check with your city or province to see if there are local restrictions against the use of certain approved products.

For additional information from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment on safe pesticide use, call 1-800-563-6181.

Learn More
Pesticides Control for Homeowners

Tips for Household Pest Control

Getting to the Root of a Healthy Lawn

Health Canada’s regulations around pesticide use External Link Icon

Health Canada’s online product label search External Link Icon

Health Canada’s Pesticide Label Search Mobile App External Link Icon

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Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

 

2017 09 19                                                    12:15 p.m.