FOR MORE INFORMATION:CRD Hotline

(250) 360-3030 www.crd.bc.ca

1-800-663-4425, Local 3030 hotline@crd.bc.ca

CRD Roundtable on the Environment

www.crd.bc.ca/rte/pest

BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

www.gov.bc.ca/wlap

BC Landscape & Nursery Association

1-800-421-7963 www.canadanursery.com/bclna

Victoria Horticultural Society

www.vichortsociety.org

City Green

(250) 381-9995 www.citygreen.ca

The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre

(250) 386-WORM(9676) www.compost.bc.ca

South Island Organic Producers Association

(250) 361-1747 www.cog.ca/siopa.htm

Society of Organic Urban Land Care Professionals

(250) 386-SOUL (7685) www.organiclandcare.org

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)

(604) 736-7732 www.spec.bc.ca/pesticides

Georgia Strait Alliance

(250) 381-8321 www.georgiastrait.org

will work most effectively onthe problem. Consider theleast harmful and mostnatural solution first.

Here are some alternatives:

PREVENTION OF FURTHER

DAMAGE – Removingopportunities for furtherdamage may be all that isrequired for you to besatisfied with the results. Youcan minimize thepotential of attractingpests in the first placeby removing anywelcoming place inyour garden.

• Clear debris fromyour yard, such as pilesof wood where pestslurk

• Add nutrients to soil,such as compost

• Use native and disease-resistant plant varieties

• Use companion plantsthat will protect otherplants from weeds andpests if planted side byside. e.g., plant carrots,

radishes and cucumbersnear lettuce to protect it

• Plant marigoldsthroughout the garden torepel many insects

• Use aromatic plants suchas chives, dill and mint toattract pollinators andward off pests

• Avoid overhead sprinklingin the evening, a majorcause of mildew onsensitive plants

• Be informed – findinformation on your plants

from books, theInternet or gardencentres

Manual Efforts

• Remove insects bybrushing them away,putting out traps (forslugs), crushing by handor using a forceful sprayof water

• Eliminate weeds byspreading mulchesbetween plants oraggressively hand weeding

Natural Controls

Since the materials thatmake up naturaltreatments are alreadyfound in nature,some tend to bemore effectivefor longerperiods of timeand pests may not build upa resistance.

• Insecticides in the form ofsoap can be used to washleaves and eliminate pestsand diseases

• Make a natural fungicide(one tablespoon each ofbaking soda andhorticultural oil diluted infour litres of water andsprayed on the leaves) toeliminate fungal diseaseson plants such as blackspot (rose bushes), blight(tomato plants), mildewand rust

Biological Controls

PEST PREDATORS arebeneficial creatures that arebusy working the soil,pollinating crops andfeeding on (or inhabiting)pest insects. They include:

• Predator insects such asflower flies, spiders,groundbeetles, honeybees,and ladybugs

• Parasites that lay theireggs inside theeggs or bodies of

host insect pests –when the eggs hatch,

the parasites kill the host

• Vertebrates such asbirds, frogs, snakes, bats,mice, moles and squirrels– they snack on eggs,larvae, pupae and adultinsects, mites and slugs

Biologically DerivedPesticides

• Pheromones made fromexcreted body fluids ofthe targeted pest, lurepests into traps

• Juvenile insect hormonesinterfere with growth andreproductive functionsof pests

CONCLUSIONNow you’re ready and awareof the many sensible, safeand environmentallyresponsible choices that youcan put into practice withyour own lawn or garden.We hope you appreciate thebenefits of having a beautifulyard that works in concertwith nature instead ofagainst it. With so manyoptions to choose from, wealso hope that you agree thatchemical pesticides needonly be used as an absolutelast resort.

Good luck with your pestmanagement controlprogram and remember –

Na t u r eN a t u r e

Ru l e s ÐRu l e s Ð

N a t u r a l l y !N a t u r a l l y !

When Alternat ives DonÕt WorkAnd You Are Considering

The Use Of A Pest ic ideUnfortunately, there may be times where a problem escalatesto the level that seriously threatens a plant’s appearance orhealth. Despite all your best efforts to establish healthyfoundations and to ”go natural“ in your yard, you might nowbe considering the use of a synthetic pesticide. It can’t bestressed enough that the most responsible way of usingpesticides is to choose the LEAST TOXIC formulation and useno more than required.

The safest, hands-off way to use pesticides is to contact alicensed professional pest control company and let them handlethe treatment for you. This is important if you find you have aninsect infestation or rampant plant disease that affects a largearea of your yard.

If you’re handling pesticides yourself, here are some veryimportant rules to remember:

Roundtable on the Environment

DO choose the right solutionfor the right problem and use”domestic class“ pest controlproducts only.

DO read and follow all labeldirections and never use morethan is recommended.

DO ”spot“ treat the problemrather than dispersing overwide areas. Control, don’teliminate.

DO cover yourself withprotective clothing asprescribed on the label whenmixing and applying. Washclothes separately beforewearing again.

DO stay clear of the treatedarea for the time periodprescribed on the label.

DO notify your family andneighbours, keep petsindoors, and as a courtesy,post a sign that pesticidetreatment is going on.

DO always wash up after use,especially if skin contactoccurs.

DON’T use old, outdatedproducts. Dispose of them atdepots listed below and useonly new, pre-mixed solutions.

DON’T mix any morechemicals than you’ll useimmediately. If usingconcentrates, use a brush-onrather than a spray.

DON’T apply any pesticideon a windy orrainy day.

When it comesto disposing ofunwantedpesticides, ALWAYSfollow the disposal rules onthe label and NEVER pourunwanted portions downthe drain, into storm drainsor onto the ground. Takethem to an approved depot.In the CRD, you can disposeof some of them for free at:

Hartland Landfill and RecyclingHartland Avenue 360-3030

Ellice Recycle, 524 DavidStreet 386-4342Alpine Disposal & Recycling 1045 Dunford Avenue 474-5145or call the CRD Hotline at 360-3030

Playing Playing SafeSafeItIt

Healthy

Choices to

Control Lawn

and Garden

Pests

EnvironmentCanada

EnvironnementCanada

❊ Ensure you have the best grass and soilfor the area and climate (adequatedrainage and sufficient organic mattercontent is just as important for lawns asgardens)

❊ Use a variety of grasses that can toleratea range of growing conditions, for bothsun and shade

❊ Aerate and top dress with finelyscreened compost and sand in thespring or fall (for proper drainage androot development)

❊ Ensure the pH of your soil is between6.0 and 7.0 (add agricultural lime toraise pH, peat moss or sulphur tolower it)

❊ Remove individual weeds by hand

❊ Water deeply but not too often (like aslow, soaking rain), in the early morning

❊ Rake up and remove thatch build-up(dead grass on the surface of the soil)

❊ Mow high and use sharp blades(maintain ideal grass height of 21/2 to 3inches – it shades the soil, preventswater evaporation and allows the grassto better compete with the weeds)

❊ Mow often enough (no more than 1/3of grass blades should be removed eachtime you cut)

❊ ”Grasscycle“ – use a mulching or handmower to leave your grass clippings onyour lawn (grass clippings can supply25 per cent of your lawn’s fertilizerneeds every time you mow)

❊ Re-seed lawn, in spots where it’snecessary, in the fall

HereÕs a good start towards a healthy lawn

This brochure is printed on100% recycled fibre, 50% post-

consumer waste and is processedchlorine free.

Why not tryal ternat ives

to pest ic ides? 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 time has come to move towards the

elimination of non-essential pesticide use

in our community.

WHY MAKE A CHANGE?

Health And Safety RisksProduct labels provide some information on these risks,which range from minor skin or eye irritation, to poisoningand death, depending on the product and type of exposure.Some pesticides can produce noxious and/or explosive gasesif combined with other materials or mixed or applied usingthe wrong type of container.

Environmental RisksSome pesticides can pollute the soil or groundwater and canpersist for long periods of time. If pesticides areunintentionally washed into stormwater collection systems,creeks, streams or other water bodies may become polluted.

Risks To Non-target SpeciesSome pesticides can cause accidental injury or death toaquatic organisms, birds, mammals and beneficial insectssuch as bees and butterflies. Microorganisms in your lawnand garden can also be harmed, reducing their ability toenrich the soil and provide nutrients for plants. The moretoxic and the more you use, the greater the risk.

It’s A TrendMany communities across Canada are exploring ways toreduce pesticide use through alternative methods. A largenumber of municipalities have bylaws limiting theapplication of pesticides for certain uses. Collectively, theseinitiatives reflect a movementtoward a safer and moreenvironmentally sensitive approachto pest management. TheCapital Region, with itsreputation for healthy livingand a pristine environment, isaptly suited to be part ofthis growing trend.

WHAT IS A PESTICIDE?“Pesticide” is the general termfor any substance designed toeliminate un-desired insects,weeds, rodents, fungi,bacteria and other organisms.Pesticides come in many formsand even include house- holdbleach and swimming poolchemicals. Pesticides can becategorized as:Insecticides (for insects)Herbicides (for weeds)Fungicides (for fungus

diseases)

Although an individual lawnor garden may seem quitesmall, the combined effect ofmany lawns and gardens canhave a significant impact onyour neighbourhood andbeyond. Making responsiblechoices to ensure the healthof your small “piece-of-the-pie” will not only benefit youand your family but also thegreater community.

WHAT IS A PEST?Residential yards are hometo many seen and unseencreatures, some of which arebeneficial and provide ready-made ways of eliminatingundesirable insects and otherpests. Some plants and bugsthat flourish in your yard arehighly desirable to have onyour side.

Having clover in your lawn,for instance, helps makenitrogen in the air availablein the soil for other plants touse. Some weeds are actuallynative plants that lookattractive, do no harm, andneed little attention.

Most bugs in your yardaren’t all bad either – farfrom it. They pollinateplants, decompose wastematerial and prey on manyof those pesky insects thatyou don't like. Commonyard and garden pests

include include ants, aphids,moths, cutworms, earwigs,slugs and tent caterpillars.

Many insects, parasites andsmall animals are not pests,but were actually doing allthe work in your yard longbefore you got there. Thesebeneficial creatures includespiders, honeybees, ladybugs,frogs, snakes, bats, mice andmoles. Resist your initial“get-rid-of-it” response whenyou see things in your yard.

WHAT CAN I DO?Find a book on pests fromyour local library or gardencentre, join your localhorticultural society, orsearch the Web and find outwho the villains really are.If your yard happens to belacking certain beneficialinsects, say ladybugs, they canbe purchased and releasedinto your yard in largequantities at the right timeto ward off specific pests.

A PLAN AND HOW

TO USE ITOnce you’ve sorted out thedesirables from theundesirables, you’ll need aplan. Work on the principlethat it’s only necessary tosuppress pest populations tolow, non-damaging levels,not to entirely eliminatethem. At these levels, thehealth and appearance of the

plant would be largelyunchanged. Focus onthe plant or part ofyour yard that actuallyhas a pest problem –and leave everythingelse alone. Control –don’t eliminate.

HOW TO PREVENT

THE NEED FOR

PESTICIDES

A Stepped ApproachThe first step is ensuringyour lawn and garden get agood start with healthy soiland plants that are wellmatched to the site. Thiswill greatly reduce oreliminate pest problemsfrom the outset. Think of itas a preventativemaintenance program.Plants are more susceptibleto invasions if they’re alreadystruggling with inadequategrowing conditions.Minimize the potential ofpest problems by makingchanges in the managementof plants and in the wayyour yard is designed.

Ifyoudecidethat you’d rather doaway with a traditional lawnaltogether, how aboutplanting a range ofsubstitutes that can easilyadapt to the area? Periwinkleand wild ginger are goodground covers for shadedsites, while kinnikinnick andcoastal strawberry are betterfor sunnier, dry sites.

Establishing a healthy lawnand garden will go a longway towards preventing pestproblems in your yard butyou still might have aproblem pest. Here are sixeasy steps to starting anenvironmentally sensitivepest management program:

1. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM

PEST? Is it an insect, a weedor a disease? Consultgardening books or theresources listed at the backof this publication for morehelp on pest identificationand possible solutions.

2. WHERE IS THE PEST?Is it affecting one plant, agroup of plants or the wholeyard? Is the problem gettingworse over time or has itstopped? Are any naturalpest-predators already in theyard? Often, insect problemsaren’t even noticed until thepests have already left.

3. HOW SERIOUS IS THE

PROBLEM? Be realistic andaccept that some damage isinevitable in nature. Areplants likely to recover ifthey are left untreated or isthe damage more severe? Isit dangerous to the plant’shealth or just aesthetic?

4. DECIDE WHAT THE BEST,ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE

SOLUTION IS. What’s thepest’s weak point? Can it beeliminated by hand or a trap?Is it susceptible to pestpredators or a naturalpesticide? Will several controlsin combination work better?

5. TAKE ACTION. Start withmanual, natural or biologicalcontrols. Use several incombination if necessary. Ifall else fails, select the lowestrisk, least-toxic pesticideavailable, use as little aspossible and always followproduct instructions exactly.

6. ASSESS YOUR SUCCESS.Was the pest eliminated,suppressed to acceptablelevels, no change at all, or didthe program fail completely?Are adjustments to theprogram required? Was thesolution beneficial, costeffective and worth the effort?

Now is the time to thinkabout implementingadditional preventativemeasures.

IF THE PROBLEM

PERSISTS, CONSIDER

LEAST TOXIC

ALTERNATIVES FIRST

Pesticide AlternativesSo now you have a pestmanagement program inplace, you’ve identified theproblem area and what’scausing the damage.Perhaps you’ve decidedthat you just cannot livewithout that beautiful rosebush in your garden that’sinfested with aphids. Orit’s a more serious problem– wasps have decided totake up residence outsideyour bedroom window.

Now you’re ready toconsider what treatment orcombination of treatments,

Tips for a healthy garden

❊ Ensure soil is healthy, well-conditioned with organic compost,and has adequate drainage(remember that plants get most oftheir nutrients from the soil)

❊ Plan your garden so plants are put inareas where they naturally thrive (dryand sunny vs. wet and shady)

❊ Plant in raised beds (good for theplants, good for the back!)

❊ Use native plants that are alreadyacclimatized, require lowmaintenance and have an in-bredresistance to local pests and diseases

❊ Water deeply but infrequently tomaintain strong root structure

❊ Protect and attract native beneficialspecies (give them a place to live anda source of water – and they’ll do therest)

❊ Practise annual crop rotation for eachtype of vegetable (keeps patterns ofdisease or insect invasion in check)

❊ Fertilize regularly in spring and fallwith organic compost

ÒAn ounce ofprevention is worth apound of pesticidesÓNatural Gardening – A Guide toAlternatives to Pesticides (Metro

Regional Services, Oregon)

ÒWhen we kill off the natural enemies of apest, we inherit their workÓ

Carl Huffaker

~ ❊ ~

ÒA weed is a plantwhose virtues have

not yet beendiscoveredÓ

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

Why not tryal ternat ives

to pest ic ides? 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 time has come to move towards the

elimination of non-essential pesticide use

in our community.

WHY MAKE A CHANGE?

Health And Safety RisksProduct labels provide some information on these risks,which range from minor skin or eye irritation, to poisoningand death, depending on the product and type of exposure.Some pesticides can produce noxious and/or explosive gasesif combined with other materials or mixed or applied usingthe wrong type of container.

Environmental RisksSome pesticides can pollute the soil or groundwater and canpersist for long periods of time. If pesticides areunintentionally washed into stormwater collection systems,creeks, streams or other water bodies may become polluted.

Risks To Non-target SpeciesSome pesticides can cause accidental injury or death toaquatic organisms, birds, mammals and beneficial insectssuch as bees and butterflies. Microorganisms in your lawnand garden can also be harmed, reducing their ability toenrich the soil and provide nutrients for plants. The moretoxic and the more you use, the greater the risk.

It’s A TrendMany communities across Canada are exploring ways toreduce pesticide use through alternative methods. A largenumber of municipalities have bylaws limiting theapplication of pesticides for certain uses. Collectively, theseinitiatives reflect a movementtoward a safer and moreenvironmentally sensitive approachto pest management. TheCapital Region, with itsreputation for healthy livingand a pristine environment, isaptly suited to be part ofthis growing trend.

WHAT IS A PESTICIDE?“Pesticide” is the general termfor any substance designed toeliminate undesired insects,weeds, rodents, fungi,bacteria and other organisms.Pesticides come in many formsand even include house- holdbleach and swimming poolchemicals. Pesticides can becategorized as:Insecticides (for insects)Herbicides (for weeds)Fungicides (for fungus

diseases)

Although an individual lawnor garden may seem quitesmall, the combined effect ofmany lawns and gardens canhave a significant impact onyour neighbourhood andbeyond. Making responsiblechoices to ensure the healthof your small “piece-of-the-pie” will not only benefit youand your family but also thegreater community.

WHAT IS A PEST?Residential yards are hometo many seen and unseencreatures, some of which arebeneficial and provide ready-made ways of eliminatingundesirable insects and otherpests. Some plants and bugsthat flourish in your yard arehighly desirable to have onyour side.

Having clover in your lawn,for instance, helps makenitrogen in the air availablein the soil for other plants touse. Some weeds are actuallynative plants that lookattractive, do no harm, andneed little attention.

Most bugs in your yardaren’t all bad either – farfrom it. They pollinateplants, decompose wastematerial and prey on manyof those pesky insects thatyou don't like. Commonyard and garden pests

include include ants, aphids,moths, cutworms, earwigs,slugs and tent caterpillars.

Many insects, parasites andsmall animals are not pests,but were actually doing allthe work in your yard longbefore you got there. Thesebeneficial creatures includespiders, honeybees, ladybugs,frogs, snakes, bats, mice andmoles. Resist your initial“get-rid-of-it” response whenyou see things in your yard.

WHAT CAN I DO?Find a book on pests fromyour local library or gardencentre, join your localhorticultural society, orsearch the Web and find outwho the villains really are.If your yard happens to belacking certain beneficialinsects, say ladybugs, they canbe purchased and releasedinto your yard in largequantities at the right timeto ward off specific pests.

A PLAN AND HOW

TO USE ITOnce you’ve sorted out thedesirables from theundesirables, you’ll need aplan. Work on the principlethat it’s only necessary tosuppress pest populations tolow, non-damaging levels,not to entirely eliminatethem. At these levels, thehealth and appearance of the

plant would be largelyunchanged. Focus onthe plant or part ofyour yard that actuallyhas a pest problem –and leave everythingelse alone. Control –don’t eliminate.

HOW TO PREVENT

THE NEED FOR

PESTICIDES

A Stepped ApproachThe first step is ensuringyour lawn and garden get agood start with healthy soiland plants that are wellmatched to the site. Thiswill greatly reduce oreliminate pest problemsfrom the outset. Think of itas a preventativemaintenance program.Plants are more susceptibleto invasions if they’re alreadystruggling with inadequategrowing conditions.Minimize the potential ofpest problems by makingchanges in the managementof plants and in the wayyour yard is designed.

Ifyoudecidethat you’d rather doaway with a traditional lawnaltogether, how aboutplanting a range ofsubstitutes that can easilyadapt to the area? Periwinkleand wild ginger are goodground covers for shadedsites, while kinnikinnick andcoastal strawberry are betterfor sunnier, dry sites.

Establishing a healthy lawnand garden will go a longway towards preventing pestproblems in your yard butyou still might have aproblem pest. Here are sixeasy steps to starting anenvironmentally sensitivepest management program:

1. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM

PEST? Is it an insect, a weedor a disease? Consultgardening books or theresources listed at the backof this publication for morehelp on pest identificationand possible solutions.

2. WHERE IS THE PEST?Is it affecting one plant, agroup of plants or the wholeyard? Is the problem gettingworse over time or has itstopped? Are any naturalpest-predators already in theyard? Often, insect problemsaren’t even noticed until thepests have already left.

3. HOW SERIOUS IS THE

PROBLEM? Be realistic andaccept that some damage isinevitable in nature. Areplants likely to recover ifthey are left untreated or isthe damage more severe? Isit dangerous to the plant’shealth or just aesthetic?

4. DECIDE WHAT THE BEST,ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE

SOLUTION IS. What’s thepest’s weak point? Can it beeliminated by hand or a trap?Is it susceptible to pestpredators or a naturalpesticide? Will several controlsin combination work better?

5. TAKE ACTION. Start withmanual, natural or biologicalcontrols. Use several incombination if necessary. Ifall else fails, select the lowestrisk, least-toxic pesticideavailable, use as little aspossible and always followproduct instructions exactly.

6. ASSESS YOUR SUCCESS.Was the pest eliminated,suppressed to acceptablelevels, no change at all, or didthe program fail completely?Are adjustments to theprogram required? Was thesolution beneficial, costeffective and worth the effort?

Now is the time to thinkabout implementingadditional preventativemeasures.

IF THE PROBLEM

PERSISTS, CONSIDER

LEAST TOXIC

ALTERNATIVES FIRST

Pesticide AlternativesSo now you have a pestmanagement program inplace, you’ve identified theproblem area and what’scausing the damage.Perhaps you’ve decidedthat you just cannot livewithout that beautiful rosebush in your garden that’sinfested with aphids. Orit’s a more serious problem– wasps have decided totake up residence outsideyour bedroom window.

Now you’re ready toconsider what treatment orcombination of treatments,

Tips for a healthy garden

❊ Ensure soil is healthy, well-conditioned with organic compost,and has adequate drainage(remember that plants get most oftheir nutrients from the soil)

❊ Plan your garden so plants are put inareas where they naturally thrive (dryand sunny vs. wet and shady)

❊ Plant in raised beds (good for theplants, good for the back!)

❊ Use native plants that are alreadyacclimatized, require lowmaintenance and have an in-bredresistance to local pests and diseases

❊ Water deeply but infrequently tomaintain strong root structure

❊ Protect and attract native beneficialspecies (give them a place to live anda source of water – and they’ll do therest)

❊ Practise annual crop rotation for eachtype of vegetable (keeps patterns ofdisease or insect invasion in check)

❊ Fertilize regularly in spring and fallwith organic compost

ÒAn ounce ofprevention is worth apound of pesticidesÓNatural Gardening – A Guide toAlternatives to Pesticides (Metro

Regional Services, Oregon)

ÒWhen we kill off the natural enemies of apest, we inherit their workÓ

Carl Huffaker

~ ❊ ~

ÒA weed is a plantwhose virtues have

not yet beendiscoveredÓ

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

Why not tryal ternat ives

to pest ic ides? 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 time has come to move towards the

elimination of non-essential pesticide use

in our community.

WHY MAKE A CHANGE?

Health And Safety RisksProduct labels provide some information on these risks,which range from minor skin or eye irritation, to poisoningand death, depending on the product and type of exposure.Some pesticides can produce noxious and/or explosive gasesif combined with other materials or mixed or applied usingthe wrong type of container.

Environmental RisksSome pesticides can pollute the soil or groundwater and canpersist for long periods of time. If pesticides areunintentionally washed into stormwater collection systems,creeks, streams or other water bodies may become polluted.

Risks To Non-target SpeciesSome pesticides can cause accidental injury or death toaquatic organisms, birds, mammals and beneficial insectssuch as bees and butterflies. Microorganisms in your lawnand garden can also be harmed, reducing their ability toenrich the soil and provide nutrients for plants. The moretoxic and the more you use, the greater the risk.

It’s A TrendMany communities across Canada are exploring ways toreduce pesticide use through alternative methods. A largenumber of municipalities have bylaws limiting theapplication of pesticides for certain uses. Collectively, theseinitiatives reflect a movementtoward a safer and moreenvironmentally sensitive approachto pest management. TheCapital Region, with itsreputation for healthy livingand a pristine environment, isaptly suited to be part ofthis growing trend.

WHAT IS A PESTICIDE?“Pesticide” is the general termfor any substance designed toeliminate un-desired insects,weeds, rodents, fungi,bacteria and other organisms.Pesticides come in many formsand even include house- holdbleach and swimming poolchemicals. Pesticides can becategorized as:Insecticides (for insects)Herbicides (for weeds)Fungicides (for fungus

diseases)

Although an individual lawnor garden may seem quitesmall, the combined effect ofmany lawns and gardens canhave a significant impact onyour neighbourhood andbeyond. Making responsiblechoices to ensure the healthof your small “piece-of-the-pie” will not only benefit youand your family but also thegreater community.

WHAT IS A PEST?Residential yards are hometo many seen and unseencreatures, some of which arebeneficial and provide ready-made ways of eliminatingundesirable insects and otherpests. Some plants and bugsthat flourish in your yard arehighly desirable to have onyour side.

Having clover in your lawn,for instance, helps makenitrogen in the air availablein the soil for other plants touse. Some weeds are actuallynative plants that lookattractive, do no harm, andneed little attention.

Most bugs in your yardaren’t all bad either – farfrom it. They pollinateplants, decompose wastematerial and prey on manyof those pesky insects thatyou don't like. Commonyard and garden pests

include ants, aphids,moths, cutworms, earwigs,slugs and tent caterpillars.

Many insects, parasites andsmall animals are not pests,but were actually doing allthe work in your yard longbefore you got there. Thesebeneficial creatures includespiders, honeybees, ladybugs,frogs, snakes, bats, mice andmoles. Resist your initial“get-rid-of-it” response whenyou see things in your yard.

WHAT CAN I DO?Find a book on pests fromyour local library or gardencentre, join your localhorticultural society, orsearch the Web and find outwho the villains really are.If your yard happens to belacking certain beneficialinsects, say ladybugs, they canbe purchased and releasedinto your yard in largequantities at the right timeto ward off specific pests.

A PLAN AND HOW

TO USE ITOnce you’ve sorted out thedesirables from theundesirables, you’ll need aplan. Work on the principlethat it’s only necessary tosuppress pest populations tolow, non-damaging levels,not to entirely eliminatethem. At these levels, thehealth and appearance of the

plant would be largelyunchanged. Focus onthe plant or part ofyour yard that actuallyhas a pest problem –and leave everythingelse alone. Control –don’t eliminate.

HOW TO PREVENT

THE NEED FOR

PESTICIDES

A Stepped ApproachThe first step is ensuringyour lawn and garden get agood start with healthy soiland plants that are wellmatched to the site. Thiswill greatly reduce oreliminate pest problemsfrom the outset. Think of itas a preventativemaintenance program.Plants are more susceptibleto invasions if they’re alreadystruggling with inadequategrowing conditions.Minimize the potential ofpest problems by makingchanges in the managementof plants and in the wayyour yard is designed.

Ifyoudecidethat you’d rather doaway with a traditional lawnaltogether, how aboutplanting a range ofsubstitutes that can easilyadapt to the area? Periwinkleand wild ginger are goodground covers for shadedsites, while kinnikinnick andcoastal strawberry are betterfor sunnier, dry sites.

Establishing a healthy lawnand garden will go a longway towards preventing pestproblems in your yard butyou still might have aproblem pest. Here are sixeasy steps to starting anenvironmentally sensitivepest management program:

1. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM

PEST? Is it an insect, a weedor a disease? Consultgardening books or theresources listed at the backof this publication for morehelp on pest identificationand possible solutions.

2. WHERE IS THE PEST?Is it affecting one plant, agroup of plants or the wholeyard? Is the problem gettingworse over time or has itstopped? Are any naturalpest-predators already in theyard? Often, insect problemsaren’t even noticed until thepests have already left.

3. HOW SERIOUS IS THE

PROBLEM? Be realistic andaccept that some damage isinevitable in nature. Areplants likely to recover ifthey are left untreated or isthe damage more severe? Isit dangerous to the plant’shealth or just aesthetic?

4. DECIDE WHAT THE BEST,ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE

SOLUTION IS. What’s thepest’s weak point? Can it beeliminated by hand or a trap?Is it susceptible to pestpredators or a naturalpesticide? Will several controlsin combination work better?

5. TAKE ACTION. Start withmanual, natural or biologicalcontrols. Use several incombination if necessary. Ifall else fails, select the lowestrisk, least-toxic pesticideavailable, use as little aspossible and always followproduct instructions exactly.

6. ASSESS YOUR SUCCESS.Was the pest eliminated,suppressed to acceptablelevels, no change at all, or didthe program fail completely?Are adjustments to theprogram required? Was thesolution beneficial, costeffective and worth the effort?

Now is the time to thinkabout implementingadditional preventativemeasures.

IF THE PROBLEM

PERSISTS, CONSIDER

LEAST TOXIC

ALTERNATIVES FIRST

Pesticide AlternativesSo now you have a pestmanagement program inplace, you’ve identified theproblem area and what’scausing the damage.Perhaps you’ve decidedthat you just cannot livewithout that beautiful rosebush in your garden that’sinfested with aphids. Orit’s a more serious problem– wasps have decided totake up residence outsideyour bedroom window.

Now you’re ready toconsider what treatment orcombination of treatments,

Tips for a healthy garden

❊ Ensure soil is healthy, well-conditioned with organic compost,and has adequate drainage(remember that plants get most oftheir nutrients from the soil)

❊ Plan your garden so plants are put inareas where they naturally thrive (dryand sunny vs. wet and shady)

❊ Plant in raised beds (good for theplants, good for the back!)

❊ Use native plants that are alreadyacclimatized, require lowmaintenance and have an in-bredresistance to local pests and diseases

❊ Water deeply but infrequently tomaintain strong root structure

❊ Protect and attract native beneficialspecies (give them a place to live anda source of water – and they’ll do therest)

❊ Practise annual crop rotation for eachtype of vegetable (keeps patterns ofdisease or insect invasion in check)

❊ Fertilize regularly in spring and fallwith organic compost

ÒAn ounce ofprevention is worth apound of pesticidesÓNatural Gardening – A Guide toAlternatives to Pesticides (Metro

Regional Services, Oregon)

ÒWhen we kill off the natural enemies of apest, we inherit their workÓ

Carl Huffaker

~ ❊ ~

ÒA weed is a plantwhose virtues have

not yet beendiscoveredÓ

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

Why not tryal ternat ives

to pest ic ides? 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 time has come to move towards the

elimination of non-essential pesticide use

in our community.

WHY MAKE A CHANGE?

Health And Safety RisksProduct labels provide some information on these risks,which range from minor skin or eye irritation, to poisoningand death, depending on the product and type of exposure.Some pesticides can produce noxious and/or explosive gasesif combined with other materials or mixed or applied usingthe wrong type of container.

Environmental RisksSome pesticides can pollute the soil or groundwater and canpersist for long periods of time. If pesticides areunintentionally washed into stormwater collection systems,creeks, streams or other water bodies may become polluted.

Risks To Non-target SpeciesSome pesticides can cause accidental injury or death toaquatic organisms, birds, mammals and beneficial insectssuch as bees and butterflies. Microorganisms in your lawnand garden can also be harmed, reducing their ability toenrich the soil and provide nutrients for plants. The moretoxic and the more you use, the greater the risk.

It’s A TrendMany communities across Canada are exploring ways toreduce pesticide use through alternative methods. A largenumber of municipalities have bylaws limiting theapplication of pesticides for certain uses. Collectively, theseinitiatives reflect a movementtoward a safer and moreenvironmentally sensitive approachto pest management. TheCapital Region, with itsreputation for healthy livingand a pristine environment, isaptly suited to be part ofthis growing trend.

WHAT IS A PESTICIDE?“Pesticide” is the general termfor any substance designed toeliminate un-desired insects,weeds, rodents, fungi,bacteria and other organisms.Pesticides come in many formsand even include house- holdbleach and swimming poolchemicals. Pesticides can becategorized as:Insecticides (for insects)Herbicides (for weeds)Fungicides (for fungus

diseases)

Although an individual lawnor garden may seem quitesmall, the combined effect ofmany lawns and gardens canhave a significant impact onyour neighbourhood andbeyond. Making responsiblechoices to ensure the healthof your small “piece-of-the-pie” will not only benefit youand your family but also thegreater community.

WHAT IS A PEST?Residential yards are hometo many seen and unseencreatures, some of which arebeneficial and provide ready-made ways of eliminatingundesirable insects and otherpests. Some plants and bugsthat flourish in your yard arehighly desirable to have onyour side.

Having clover in your lawn,for instance, helps makenitrogen in the air availablein the soil for other plants touse. Some weeds are actuallynative plants that lookattractive, do no harm, andneed little attention.

Most bugs in your yardaren’t all bad either – farfrom it. They pollinateplants, decompose wastematerial and prey on manyof those pesky insects thatyou don't like. Commonyard and garden pests

include include ants, aphids,moths, cutworms, earwigs,slugs and tent caterpillars.

Many insects, parasites andsmall animals are not pests,but were actually doing allthe work in your yard longbefore you got there. Thesebeneficial creatures includespiders, honeybees, ladybugs,frogs, snakes, bats, mice andmoles. Resist your initial“get-rid-of-it” response whenyou see things in your yard.

WHAT CAN I DO?Find a book on pests fromyour local library or gardencentre, join your localhorticultural society, orsearch the Web and find outwho the villains really are.If your yard happens to belacking certain beneficialinsects, say ladybugs, they canbe purchased and releasedinto your yard in largequantities at the right timeto ward off specific pests.

A PLAN AND HOW

TO USE ITOnce you’ve sorted out thedesirables from theundesirables, you’ll need aplan. Work on the principlethat it’s only necessary tosuppress pest populations tolow, non-damaging levels,not to entirely eliminatethem. At these levels, thehealth and appearance of the

plant would be largelyunchanged. Focus onthe plant or part ofyour yard that actuallyhas a pest problem –and leave everythingelse alone. Control –don’t eliminate.

HOW TO PREVENT

THE NEED FOR

PESTICIDES

A Stepped ApproachThe first step is ensuringyour lawn and garden get agood start with healthy soiland plants that are wellmatched to the site. Thiswill greatly reduce oreliminate pest problemsfrom the outset. Think of itas a preventativemaintenance program.Plants are more susceptibleto invasions if they’re alreadystruggling with inadequategrowing conditions.Minimize the potential ofpest problems by makingchanges in the managementof plants and in the wayyour yard is designed.

Ifyoudecidethat you’d rather doaway with a traditional lawnaltogether, how aboutplanting a range ofsubstitutes that can easilyadapt to the area? Periwinkleand wild ginger are goodground covers for shadedsites, while kinnikinnick andcoastal strawberry are betterfor sunnier, dry sites.

Establishing a healthy lawnand garden will go a longway towards preventing pestproblems in your yard butyou still might have aproblem pest. Here are sixeasy steps to starting anenvironmentally sensitivepest management program:

1. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM

PEST? Is it an insect, a weedor a disease? Consultgardening books or theresources listed at the backof this publication for morehelp on pest identificationand possible solutions.

2. WHERE IS THE PEST?Is it affecting one plant, agroup of plants or the wholeyard? Is the problem gettingworse over time or has itstopped? Are any naturalpest-predators already in theyard? Often, insect problemsaren’t even noticed until thepests have already left.

3. HOW SERIOUS IS THE

PROBLEM? Be realistic andaccept that some damage isinevitable in nature. Areplants likely to recover ifthey are left untreated or isthe damage more severe? Isit dangerous to the plant’shealth or just aesthetic?

4. DECIDE WHAT THE BEST,ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE

SOLUTION IS. What’s thepest’s weak point? Can it beeliminated by hand or a trap?Is it susceptible to pestpredators or a naturalpesticide? Will several controlsin combination work better?

5. TAKE ACTION. Start withmanual, natural or biologicalcontrols. Use several incombination if necessary. Ifall else fails, select the lowestrisk, least-toxic pesticideavailable, use as little aspossible and always followproduct instructions exactly.

6. ASSESS YOUR SUCCESS.Was the pest eliminated,suppressed to acceptablelevels, no change at all, or didthe program fail completely?Are adjustments to theprogram required? Was thesolution beneficial, costeffective and worth the effort?

Now is the time to thinkabout implementingadditional preventativemeasures.

IF THE PROBLEM

PERSISTS, CONSIDER

LEAST TOXIC

ALTERNATIVES FIRST

Pesticide AlternativesSo now you have a pestmanagement program inplace, you’ve identified theproblem area and what’scausing the damage.Perhaps you’ve decidedthat you just cannot livewithout that beautiful rosebush in your garden that’sinfested with aphids. Orit’s a more serious problem– wasps have decided totake up residence outsideyour bedroom window.

Now you’re ready toconsider what treatment orcombination of treatments,

Tips for a healthy garden

❊ Ensure soil is healthy, well-conditioned with organic compost,and has adequate drainage(remember that plants get most oftheir nutrients from the soil)

❊ Plan your garden so plants are put inareas where they naturally thrive (dryand sunny vs. wet and shady)

❊ Plant in raised beds (good for theplants, good for the back!)

❊ Use native plants that are alreadyacclimatized, require lowmaintenance and have an in-bredresistance to local pests and diseases

❊ Water deeply but infrequently tomaintain strong root structure

❊ Protect and attract native beneficialspecies (give them a place to live anda source of water – and they’ll do therest)

❊ Practise annual crop rotation for eachtype of vegetable (keeps patterns ofdisease or insect invasion in check)

❊ Fertilize regularly in spring and fallwith organic compost

ÒAn ounce ofprevention is worth apound of pesticidesÓNatural Gardening – A Guide toAlternatives to Pesticides (Metro

Regional Services, Oregon)

ÒWhen we kill off the natural enemies of apest, we inherit their workÓ

Carl Huffaker

~ ❊ ~

ÒA weed is a plantwhose virtues have

not yet beendiscoveredÓ

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

~ ❊ ~

FOR MORE INFORMATION:CRD Hotline

(250) 360-3030 www.crd.bc.ca

1-800-663-4425, Local 3030 hotline@crd.bc.ca

CRD Roundtable on the Environment

www.crd.bc.ca/rte/pest

BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

www.gov.bc.ca/wlap

BC Landscape & Nursery Association

1-800-421-7963 www.canadanursery.com/bclna

Victoria Horticultural Society

www.vichortsociety.org

City Green

(250) 381-9995 www.citygreen.ca

The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre

(250) 386-WORM(9676) www.compost.bc.ca

South Island Organic Producers Association

(250) 361-1747 www.cog.ca/siopa.htm

Society of Organic Urban Land Care Professionals

(250) 386-SOUL (7685) www.organiclandcare.org

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)

(604) 736-7732 www.spec.bc.ca/pesticides

Georgia Strait Alliance

(250) 381-8321 www.georgiastrait.org

will work most effectively onthe problem. Consider theleast harmful and mostnatural solution first.

Here are some alternatives:

PREVENTION OF FURTHER

DAMAGE – Removingopportunities for furtherdamage may be all that isrequired for you to besatisfied with the results. Youcan minimize thepotential of attractingpests in the first placeby removing anywelcoming place inyour garden.

• Clear debris fromyour yard, such as pilesof wood where pestslurk

• Add nutrients to soil,such as compost

• Use native and disease-resistant plant varieties

• Use companion plantsthat will protect otherplants from weeds andpests if planted side byside. e.g., plant carrots,

radishes and cucumbersnear lettuce to protect it

• Plant marigoldsthroughout the garden torepel many insects

• Use aromatic plants suchas chives, dill and mint toattract pollinators andward off pests

• Avoid overhead sprinklingin the evening, a majorcause of mildew onsensitive plants

• Be informed – findinformation on your plants

from books, theInternet or gardencentres

Manual Efforts

• Remove insects bybrushing them away,putting out traps (forslugs), crushing by handor using a forceful sprayof water

• Eliminate weeds byspreading mulchesbetween plants oraggressively hand weeding

Natural Controls

Since the materials thatmake up naturaltreatments are alreadyfound in nature,some tend to bemore effectivefor longerperiods of timeand pests may not build upa resistance.

• Insecticides in the form ofsoap can be used to washleaves and eliminate pestsand diseases

• Make a natural fungicide(one tablespoon each ofbaking soda andhorticultural oil diluted infour litres of water andsprayed on the leaves) toeliminate fungal diseaseson plants such as blackspot (rose bushes), blight(tomato plants), mildewand rust

Biological Controls

PEST PREDATORS arebeneficial creatures that arebusy working the soil,pollinating crops andfeeding on (or inhabiting)pest insects. They include:

• Predator insects such asflower flies, spiders,groundbeetles, honeybees,and ladybugs

• Parasites that lay theireggs inside theeggs or bodies of

host insect pests –when the eggs hatch,

the parasites kill the host

• Vertebrates such asbirds, frogs, snakes, bats,mice, moles and squirrels– they snack on eggs,larvae, pupae and adultinsects, mites and slugs

Biologically DerivedPesticides

• Pheromones made fromexcreted body fluids ofthe targeted pest, lurepests into traps

• Juvenile insect hormonesinterfere with growth andreproductive functionsof pests

CONCLUSIONNow you’re ready and awareof the many sensible, safeand environmentallyresponsible choices that youcan put into practice withyour own lawn or garden.We hope you appreciate thebenefits of having a beautifulyard that works in concertwith nature instead ofagainst it. With so manyoptions to choose from, wealso hope that you agree thatchemical pesticides needonly be used as an absolutelast resort.

Good luck with your pestmanagement controlprogram and remember –

Na t u r eN a t u r e

Ru l e s ÐRu l e s Ð

N a t u r a l l y !N a t u r a l l y !

When Alternat ives DonÕt WorkAnd You Are Considering

The Use Of A Pest ic ideUnfortunately, there may be times where a problem escalatesto the level that seriously threatens a plant’s appearance orhealth. Despite all your best efforts to establish healthyfoundations and to ”go natural“ in your yard, you might nowbe considering the use of a synthetic pesticide. It can’t bestressed enough that the most responsible way of usingpesticides is to choose the LEAST TOXIC formulation and useno more than required.

The safest, hands-off way to use pesticides is to contact alicensed professional pest control company and let them handlethe treatment for you. This is important if you find you have aninsect infestation or rampant plant disease that affects a largearea of your yard.

If you’re handling pesticides yourself, here are some veryimportant rules to remember:

Roundtable on the Environment

DO choose the right solutionfor the right problem and use”domestic class“ pest controlproducts only.

DO read and follow all labeldirections and never use morethan is recommended.

DO ”spot“ treat the problemrather than dispersing overwide areas. Control, don’teliminate.

DO cover yourself withprotective clothing asprescribed on the label whenmixing and applying. Washclothes separately beforewearing again.

DO stay clear of the treatedarea for the time periodprescribed on the label.

DO notify your family andneighbours, keep petsindoors, and as a courtesy,post a sign that pesticidetreatment is going on.

DO always wash up after use,especially if skin contactoccurs.

DON’T use old, outdatedproducts. Dispose of them atdepots listed below and useonly new, pre-mixed solutions.

DON’T mix any morechemicals than you’ll useimmediately. If usingconcentrates, use a brush-onrather than a spray.

DON’T apply any pesticideon a windy orrainy day.

When it comesto disposing ofunwantedpesticides, ALWAYSfollow the disposal rules onthe label and NEVER pourunwanted portions downthe drain, into storm drainsor onto the ground. Takethem to an approved depot.In the CRD, you can disposeof some of them for free at:

Hartland Landfill and RecyclingHartland Avenue 360-3030

Ellice Recycle, 524 DavidStreet 386-4342Alpine Disposal & Recycling 1045 Dunford Avenue 474-5145or call the CRD Hotline at 360-3030

Playing Playing SafeSafeItIt

Healthy

Choices to

Control Lawn

and Garden

Pests

EnvironmentCanada

EnvironnementCanada

❊ Ensure you have the best grass and soilfor the area and climate (adequatedrainage and sufficient organic mattercontent is just as important for lawns asgardens)

❊ Use a variety of grasses that can toleratea range of growing conditions, for bothsun and shade

❊ Aerate and top dress with finelyscreened compost and sand in thespring or fall (for proper drainage androot development)

❊ Ensure the pH of your soil is between6.0 and 7.0 (add agricultural lime toraise pH, peat moss or sulphur tolower it)

❊ Remove individual weeds by hand

❊ Water deeply but not too often (like aslow, soaking rain), in the early morning

❊ Rake up and remove thatch build-up(dead grass on the surface of the soil)

❊ Mow high and use sharp blades(maintain ideal grass height of 21/2 to 3inches – it shades the soil, preventswater evaporation and allows the grassto better compete with the weeds)

❊ Mow often enough (no more than 1/3of grass blades should be removed eachtime you cut)

❊ ”Grasscycle“ – use a mulching or handmower to leave your grass clippings onyour lawn (grass clippings can supply25 per cent of your lawn’s fertilizerneeds every time you mow)

❊ Re-seed lawn, in spots where it’snecessary, in the fall

HereÕs a good start towards a healthy lawn

This brochure is printed on100% recycled fibre, 50% post-

consumer waste and is processedchlorine free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:CRD Hotline

(250) 360-3030 www.crd.bc.ca

1-800-663-4425, Local 3030 hotline@crd.bc.ca

CRD Roundtable on the Environment

www.crd.bc.ca/rte/pest

BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

www.gov.bc.ca/wlap

BC Landscape & Nursery Association

1-800-421-7963 www.canadanursery.com/bclna

Victoria Horticultural Society

www.vichortsociety.org

City Green

(250) 381-9995 www.citygreen.ca

The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre

(250) 386-WORM(9676) www.compost.bc.ca

South Island Organic Producers Association

(250) 361-1747 www.cog.ca/siopa.htm

Society of Organic Urban Land Care Professionals

(250) 386-SOUL (7685) www.organiclandcare.org

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)

(604) 736-7732 www.spec.bc.ca/pesticides

Georgia Strait Alliance

(250) 381-8321 www.georgiastrait.org

will work most effectively onthe problem. Consider theleast harmful and mostnatural solution first.

Here are some alternatives:

PREVENTION OF FURTHER

DAMAGE – Removingopportunities for furtherdamage may be all that isrequired for you to besatisfied with the results. Youcan minimize thepotential of attractingpests in the first placeby removing anywelcoming place inyour garden.

• Clear debris fromyour yard, such as pilesof wood where pestslurk

• Add nutrients to soil,such as compost

• Use native and disease-resistant plant varieties

• Use companion plantsthat will protect otherplants from weeds andpests if planted side byside. e.g., plant carrots,

radishes and cucumbersnear lettuce to protect it

• Plant marigoldsthroughout the garden torepel many insects

• Use aromatic plants suchas chives, dill and mint toattract pollinators andward off pests

• Avoid overhead sprinklingin the evening, a majorcause of mildew onsensitive plants

• Be informed – findinformation on your plants

from books, theInternet or gardencentres

Manual Efforts

• Remove insects bybrushing them away,putting out traps (forslugs), crushing by handor using a forceful sprayof water

• Eliminate weeds byspreading mulchesbetween plants oraggressively hand weeding

Natural Controls

Since the materials thatmake up naturaltreatments are alreadyfound in nature,some tend to bemore effectivefor longerperiods of timeand pests may not build upa resistance.

• Insecticides in the form ofsoap can be used to washleaves and eliminate pestsand diseases

• Make a natural fungicide(one tablespoon each ofbaking soda andhorticultural oil diluted infour litres of water andsprayed on the leaves) toeliminate fungal diseaseson plants such as blackspot (rose bushes), blight(tomato plants), mildewand rust

Biological Controls

PEST PREDATORS arebeneficial creatures that arebusy working the soil,pollinating crops andfeeding on (or inhabiting)pest insects. They include:

• Predator insects such asflower flies, spiders,groundbeetles, honeybees,and ladybugs

• Parasites that lay theireggs inside theeggs or bodies of

host insect pests –when the eggs hatch,

the parasites kill the host

• Vertebrates such asbirds, frogs, snakes, bats,mice, moles and squirrels– they snack on eggs,larvae, pupae and adultinsects, mites and slugs

Biologically DerivedPesticides

• Pheromones made fromexcreted body fluids ofthe targeted pest, lurepests into traps

• Juvenile insect hormonesinterfere with growth andreproductive functionsof pests

CONCLUSIONNow you’re ready and awareof the many sensible, safeand environmentallyresponsible choices that youcan put into practice withyour own lawn or garden.We hope you appreciate thebenefits of having a beautifulyard that works in concertwith nature instead ofagainst it. With so manyoptions to choose from, wealso hope that you agree thatchemical pesticides needonly be used as an absolutelast resort.

Good luck with your pestmanagement controlprogram and remember –

Na t u r eN a t u r e

Ru l e s ÐRu l e s Ð

N a t u r a l l y !N a t u r a l l y !

When Alternat ives DonÕt WorkAnd You Are Considering

The Use Of A Pest ic ideUnfortunately, there may be times where a problem escalatesto the level that seriously threatens a plant’s appearance orhealth. Despite all your best efforts to establish healthyfoundations and to ”go natural“ in your yard, you might nowbe considering the use of a synthetic pesticide. It can’t bestressed enough that the most responsible way of usingpesticides is to choose the LEAST TOXIC formulation and useno more than required.

The safest, hands-off way to use pesticides is to contact alicensed professional pest control company and let them handlethe treatment for you. This is important if you find you have aninsect infestation or rampant plant disease that affects a largearea of your yard.

If you’re handling pesticides yourself, here are some veryimportant rules to remember:

Roundtable on the Environment

DO choose the right solutionfor the right problem and use”domestic class“ pest controlproducts only.

DO read and follow all labeldirections and never use morethan is recommended.

DO ”spot“ treat the problemrather than dispersing overwide areas. Control, don’teliminate.

DO cover yourself withprotective clothing asprescribed on the label whenmixing and applying. Washclothes separately beforewearing again.

DO stay clear of the treatedarea for the time periodprescribed on the label.

DO notify your family andneighbours, keep petsindoors, and as a courtesy,post a sign that pesticidetreatment is going on.

DO always wash up after use,especially if skin contactoccurs.

DON’T use old, outdatedproducts. Dispose of them atdepots listed below and useonly new, pre-mixed solutions.

DON’T mix any morechemicals than you’ll useimmediately. If usingconcentrates, use a brush-onrather than a spray.

DON’T apply any pesticideon a windy orrainy day.

When it comesto disposing ofunwantedpesticides, ALWAYSfollow the disposal rules onthe label and NEVER pourunwanted portions downthe drain, into storm drainsor onto the ground. Takethem to an approved depot.In the CRD, you can disposeof some of them for free at:

Hartland Landfill and RecyclingHartland Avenue 360-3030

Ellice Recycle, 524 DavidStreet 386-4342Alpine Disposal & Recycling 1045 Dunford Avenue 474-5145or call the CRD Hotline at 360-3030

Playing Playing SafeSafeItIt

Healthy

Choices to

Control Lawn

and Garden

Pests

EnvironmentCanada

EnvironnementCanada

❊ Ensure you have the best grass and soilfor the area and climate (adequatedrainage and sufficient organic mattercontent is just as important for lawns asgardens)

❊ Use a variety of grasses that can toleratea range of growing conditions, for bothsun and shade

❊ Aerate and top dress with finelyscreened compost and sand in thespring or fall (for proper drainage androot development)

❊ Ensure the pH of your soil is between6.0 and 7.0 (add agricultural lime toraise pH, peat moss or sulphur tolower it)

❊ Remove individual weeds by hand

❊ Water deeply but not too often (like aslow, soaking rain), in the early morning

❊ Rake up and remove thatch build-up(dead grass on the surface of the soil)

❊ Mow high and use sharp blades(maintain ideal grass height of 21/2 to 3inches – it shades the soil, preventswater evaporation and allows the grassto better compete with the weeds)

❊ Mow often enough (no more than 1/3of grass blades should be removed eachtime you cut)

❊ ”Grasscycle“ – use a mulching or handmower to leave your grass clippings onyour lawn (grass clippings can supply25 per cent of your lawn’s fertilizerneeds every time you mow)

❊ Re-seed lawn, in spots where it’snecessary, in the fall

HereÕs a good start towards a healthy lawn

This brochure is printed on100% recycled fibre, 50% post-

consumer waste and is processedchlorine free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:CRD Hotline

(250) 360-3030 www.crd.bc.ca

1-800-663-4425, Local 3030 hotline@crd.bc.ca

CRD Roundtable on the Environment

www.crd.bc.ca/rte/pest

BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

www.gov.bc.ca/wlap

BC Landscape & Nursery Association

1-800-421-7963 www.canadanursery.com/bclna

Victoria Horticultural Society

www.vichortsociety.org

City Green

(250) 381-9995 www.citygreen.ca

The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre

(250) 386-WORM(9676) www.compost.bc.ca

South Island Organic Producers Association

(250) 361-1747 www.cog.ca/siopa.htm

Society of Organic Urban Land Care Professionals

(250) 386-SOUL (7685) www.organiclandcare.org

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)

(604) 736-7732 www.spec.bc.ca/pesticides

Georgia Strait Alliance

(250) 381-8321 www.georgiastrait.org

will work most effectively onthe problem. Consider theleast harmful and mostnatural solution first.

Here are some alternatives:

PREVENTION OF FURTHER

DAMAGE – Removingopportunities for furtherdamage may be all that isrequired for you to besatisfied with the results. Youcan minimize thepotential of attractingpests in the first placeby removing anywelcoming place inyour garden.

• Clear debris fromyour yard, such as pilesof wood where pestslurk

• Add nutrients to soil,such as compost

• Use native and disease-resistant plant varieties

• Use companion plantsthat will protect otherplants from weeds andpests if planted side byside. e.g., plant carrots,

radishes and cucumbersnear lettuce to protect it

• Plant marigoldsthroughout the garden torepel many insects

• Use aromatic plants suchas chives, dill and mint toattract pollinators andward off pests

• Avoid overhead sprinklingin the evening, a majorcause of mildew onsensitive plants

• Be informed – findinformation on your plants

from books, theInternet or gardencentres

Manual Efforts

• Remove insects bybrushing them away,putting out traps (forslugs), crushing by handor using a forceful sprayof water

• Eliminate weeds byspreading mulchesbetween plants oraggressively hand weeding

Natural Controls

Since the materials thatmake up naturaltreatments are alreadyfound in nature,some tend to bemore effectivefor longerperiods of timeand pests may not build upa resistance.

• Insecticides in the form ofsoap can be used to washleaves and eliminate pestsand diseases

• Make a natural fungicide(one tablespoon each ofbaking soda andhorticultural oil diluted infour litres of water andsprayed on the leaves) toeliminate fungal diseaseson plants such as blackspot (rose bushes), blight(tomato plants), mildewand rust

Biological Controls

PEST PREDATORS arebeneficial creatures that arebusy working the soil,pollinating crops andfeeding on (or inhabiting)pest insects. They include:

• Predator insects such asflower flies, spiders,groundbeetles, honeybees,and ladybugs

• Parasites that lay theireggs inside theeggs or bodies of

host insect pests –when the eggs hatch,

the parasites kill the host

• Vertebrates such asbirds, frogs, snakes, bats,mice, moles and squirrels– they snack on eggs,larvae, pupae and adultinsects, mites and slugs

Biologically DerivedPesticides

• Pheromones made fromexcreted body fluids ofthe targeted pest, lurepests into traps

• Juvenile insect hormonesinterfere with growth andreproductive functionsof pests

CONCLUSIONNow you’re ready and awareof the many sensible, safeand environmentallyresponsible choices that youcan put into practice withyour own lawn or garden.We hope you appreciate thebenefits of having a beautifulyard that works in concertwith nature instead ofagainst it. With so manyoptions to choose from, wealso hope that you agree thatchemical pesticides needonly be used as an absolutelast resort.

Good luck with your pestmanagement controlprogram and remember –

Na t u r eN a t u r e

Ru l e s ÐRu l e s Ð

N a t u r a l l y !N a t u r a l l y !

When Alternat ives DonÕt WorkAnd You Are Considering

The Use Of A Pest ic ideUnfortunately, there may be times where a problem escalatesto the level that seriously threatens a plant’s appearance orhealth. Despite all your best efforts to establish healthyfoundations and to ”go natural“ in your yard, you might nowbe considering the use of a synthetic pesticide. It can’t bestressed enough that the most responsible way of usingpesticides is to choose the LEAST TOXIC formulation and useno more than required.

The safest, hands-off way to use pesticides is to contact alicensed professional pest control company and let them handlethe treatment for you. This is important if you find you have aninsect infestation or rampant plant disease that affects a largearea of your yard.

If you’re handling pesticides yourself, here are some veryimportant rules to remember:

Roundtable on the Environment

DO choose the right solutionfor the right problem and use”domestic class“ pest controlproducts only.

DO read and follow all labeldirections and never use morethan is recommended.

DO ”spot“ treat the problemrather than dispersing overwide areas. Control, don’teliminate.

DO cover yourself withprotective clothing asprescribed on the label whenmixing and applying. Washclothes separately beforewearing again.

DO stay clear of the treatedarea for the time periodprescribed on the label.

DO notify your family andneighbours, keep petsindoors, and as a courtesy,post a sign that pesticidetreatment is going on.

DO always wash up after use,especially if skin contactoccurs.

DON’T use old, outdatedproducts. Dispose of them atdepots listed below and useonly new, pre-mixed solutions.

DON’T mix any morechemicals than you’ll useimmediately. If usingconcentrates, use a brush-onrather than a spray.

DON’T apply any pesticideon a windy orrainy day.

When it comesto disposing ofunwantedpesticides, ALWAYSfollow the disposal rules onthe label and NEVER pourunwanted portions downthe drain, into storm drainsor onto the ground. Takethem to an approved depot.In the CRD, you can disposeof some of them for free at:

Hartland Landfill and RecyclingHartland Avenue 360-3030

Ellice Recycle, 524 DavidStreet 386-4342Alpine Disposal & Recycling 1045 Dunford Avenue 474-5145or call the CRD Hotline at 360-3030

Playing Playing SafeSafeItIt

Healthy

Choices to

Control Lawn

and Garden

Pests

EnvironmentCanada

EnvironnementCanada

❊ Ensure you have the best grass and soilfor the area and climate (adequatedrainage and sufficient organic mattercontent is just as important for lawns asgardens)

❊ Use a variety of grasses that can toleratea range of growing conditions, for bothsun and shade

❊ Aerate and top dress with finelyscreened compost and sand in thespring or fall (for proper drainage androot development)

❊ Ensure the pH of your soil is between6.0 and 7.0 (add agricultural lime toraise pH, peat moss or sulphur tolower it)

❊ Remove individual weeds by hand

❊ Water deeply but not too often (like aslow, soaking rain), in the early morning

❊ Rake up and remove thatch build-up(dead grass on the surface of the soil)

❊ Mow high and use sharp blades(maintain ideal grass height of 21/2 to 3inches – it shades the soil, preventswater evaporation and allows the grassto better compete with the weeds)

❊ Mow often enough (no more than 1/3of grass blades should be removed eachtime you cut)

❊ ”Grasscycle“ – use a mulching or handmower to leave your grass clippings onyour lawn (grass clippings can supply25 per cent of your lawn’s fertilizerneeds every time you mow)

❊ Re-seed lawn, in spots where it’snecessary, in the fall

HereÕs a good start towards a healthy lawn

This brochure is printed on100% recycled fibre, 50% post-

consumer waste and is processedchlorine free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:CRD Hotline

(250) 360-3030 www.crd.bc.ca

1-800-663-4425, Local 3030 hotline@crd.bc.ca

CRD Roundtable on the Environment

www.crd.bc.ca/rte/pest

BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

www.gov.bc.ca/wlap

BC Landscape & Nursery Association

1-800-421-7963 www.canadanursery.com/bclna

Victoria Horticultural Society

www.vichortsociety.org

City Green

(250) 381-9995 www.citygreen.ca

The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre

(250) 386-WORM(9676) www.compost.bc.ca

South Island Organic Producers Association

(250) 361-1747 www.cog.ca/siopa.htm

Society of Organic Urban Land Care Professionals

(250) 386-SOUL (7685) www.organiclandcare.org

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)

(604) 736-7732 www.spec.bc.ca/pesticides

Georgia Strait Alliance

(250) 381-8321 www.georgiastrait.org

will work most effectively onthe problem. Consider theleast harmful and mostnatural solution first.

Here are some alternatives:

PREVENTION OF FURTHER

DAMAGE – Removingopportunities for furtherdamage may be all that isrequired for you to besatisfied with the results. Youcan minimize thepotential of attractingpests in the first placeby removing anywelcoming place inyour garden.

• Clear debris fromyour yard, such as pilesof wood where pestslurk

• Add nutrients to soil,such as compost

• Use native and disease-resistant plant varieties

• Use companion plantsthat will protect otherplants from weeds andpests if planted side byside. e.g., plant carrots,

radishes and cucumbersnear lettuce to protect it

• Plant marigoldsthroughout the garden torepel many insects

• Use aromatic plants suchas chives, dill and mint toattract pollinators andward off pests

• Avoid overhead sprinklingin the evening, a majorcause of mildew onsensitive plants

• Be informed – findinformation on your plants

from books, theInternet or gardencentres

Manual Efforts

• Remove insects bybrushing them away,putting out traps (forslugs), crushing by handor using a forceful sprayof water

• Eliminate weeds byspreading mulchesbetween plants oraggressively hand weeding

Natural Controls

Since the materials thatmake up naturaltreatments are alreadyfound in nature,some tend to bemore effectivefor longerperiods of timeand pests may not build upa resistance.

• Insecticides in the form ofsoap can be used to washleaves and eliminate pestsand diseases

• Make a natural fungicide(one tablespoon each ofbaking soda andhorticultural oil diluted infour litres of water andsprayed on the leaves) toeliminate fungal diseaseson plants such as blackspot (rose bushes), blight(tomato plants), mildewand rust

Biological Controls

PEST PREDATORS arebeneficial creatures that arebusy working the soil,pollinating crops andfeeding on (or inhabiting)pest insects. They include:

• Predator insects such asflower flies, spiders,groundbeetles, honeybees,and ladybugs

• Parasites that lay theireggs inside theeggs or bodies of

host insect pests –when the eggs hatch,

the parasites kill the host

• Vertebrates such asbirds, frogs, snakes, bats,mice, moles and squirrels– they snack on eggs,larvae, pupae and adultinsects, mites and slugs

Biologically DerivedPesticides

• Pheromones made fromexcreted body fluids ofthe targeted pest, lurepests into traps

• Juvenile insect hormonesinterfere with growth andreproductive functionsof pests

CONCLUSIONNow you’re ready and awareof the many sensible, safeand environmentallyresponsible choices that youcan put into practice withyour own lawn or garden.We hope you appreciate thebenefits of having a beautifulyard that works in concertwith nature instead ofagainst it. With so manyoptions to choose from, wealso hope that you agree thatchemical pesticides needonly be used as an absolutelast resort.

Good luck with your pestmanagement controlprogram and remember –

Na t u r eN a t u r e

Ru l e s ÐRu l e s Ð

N a t u r a l l y !N a t u r a l l y !

When Alternat ives DonÕt WorkAnd You Are Considering

The Use Of A Pest ic ideUnfortunately, there may be times where a problem escalatesto the level that seriously threatens a plant’s appearance orhealth. Despite all your best efforts to establish healthyfoundations and to ”go natural“ in your yard, you might nowbe considering the use of a synthetic pesticide. It can’t bestressed enough that the most responsible way of usingpesticides is to choose the LEAST TOXIC formulation and useno more than required.

The safest, hands-off way to use pesticides is to contact alicensed professional pest control company and let them handlethe treatment for you. This is important if you find you have aninsect infestation or rampant plant disease that affects a largearea of your yard.

If you’re handling pesticides yourself, here are some veryimportant rules to remember:

Roundtable on the Environment

DO choose the right solutionfor the right problem and use”domestic class“ pest controlproducts only.

DO read and follow all labeldirections and never use morethan is recommended.

DO ”spot“ treat the problemrather than dispersing overwide areas. Control, don’teliminate.

DO cover yourself withprotective clothing asprescribed on the label whenmixing and applying. Washclothes separately beforewearing again.

DO stay clear of the treatedarea for the time periodprescribed on the label.

DO notify your family andneighbours, keep petsindoors, and as a courtesy,post a sign that pesticidetreatment is going on.

DO always wash up after use,especially if skin contactoccurs.

DON’T use old, outdatedproducts. Dispose of them atdepots listed below and useonly new, pre-mixed solutions.

DON’T mix any morechemicals than you’ll useimmediately. If usingconcentrates, use a brush-onrather than a spray.

DON’T apply any pesticideon a windy orrainy day.

When it comesto disposing ofunwantedpesticides, ALWAYSfollow the disposal rules onthe label and NEVER pourunwanted portions downthe drain, into storm drainsor onto the ground. Takethem to an approved depot.In the CRD, you can disposeof some of them for free at:

Hartland Landfill and RecyclingHartland Avenue 360-3030

Ellice Recycle, 524 DavidStreet 386-4342Alpine Disposal & Recycling 1045 Dunford Avenue 474-5145or call the CRD Hotline at 360-3030

Playing Playing SafeSafeItIt

Healthy

Choices to

Control Lawn

and Garden

Pests

EnvironmentCanada

EnvironnementCanada

❊ Ensure you have the best grass and soilfor the area and climate (adequatedrainage and sufficient organic mattercontent is just as important for lawns asgardens)

❊ Use a variety of grasses that can toleratea range of growing conditions, for bothsun and shade

❊ Aerate and top dress with finelyscreened compost and sand in thespring or fall (for proper drainage androot development)

❊ Ensure the pH of your soil is between6.0 and 7.0 (add agricultural lime toraise pH, peat moss or sulphur tolower it)

❊ Remove individual weeds by hand

❊ Water deeply but not too often (like aslow, soaking rain), in the early morning

❊ Rake up and remove thatch build-up(dead grass on the surface of the soil)

❊ Mow high and use sharp blades(maintain ideal grass height of 21/2 to 3inches – it shades the soil, preventswater evaporation and allows the grassto better compete with the weeds)

❊ Mow often enough (no more than 1/3of grass blades should be removed eachtime you cut)

❊ ”Grasscycle“ – use a mulching or handmower to leave your grass clippings onyour lawn (grass clippings can supply25 per cent of your lawn’s fertilizerneeds every time you mow)

❊ Re-seed lawn, in spots where it’snecessary, in the fall

HereÕs a good start towards a healthy lawn

This brochure is printed on100% recycled fibre, 50% post-

consumer waste and is processedchlorine free.