2024 Pest Management Programs
The City of Edmonton’s seasonal pest management programs will begin April 2, weather dependent, and will run until the end of October. These programs help control mosquitoes in Edmonton and surrounding counties, noxious and prohibited noxious weeds and pests, and weeds causing structural damage to parks, roadways, buildings and other infrastructure.
The City of Edmonton utilizes its Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to focus on minimizing the use of pesticides while ensuring the maximum effectiveness of pest management programs. Some pesticide usage, though, will be required.
All pest control products and procedures the City of Edmonton uses meet strict standards established by Health Canada through the Pest Control Products Act. The City of Edmonton’s pesticide applicators are trained to the required standards of Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.
Pest Management Strategy
The City’s Pest Management Strategy is based on scientific expertise and environmental stewardship through the adoption of integrated pest management principles. Integrated Pest Management is a multidisciplinary, ecological approach to the management of pests based first on prevention and, when necessary, control.
Integrated Pest Management incorporates effective, economical and environmentally sound methods and strategies that include:
- Preventative/Cultural Measures
- Biological and Mechanical Controls
- Chemical Controls
The Integrated Pest Management Policy C501A, adopted in 2019, directs the appropriate use of pesticides by the City of Edmonton. The City has always sought multiple options for every pest problem to reduce the overall use of pesticides.
In addition to policies adopted at the municipal level, the use of pesticides is also governed by both federal and provincial legislation.
At the federal level, every pesticide registered for use in Canada is approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, a division of Health Canada. Pesticides are regulated by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency to ensure efficacy and minimal risk to human health and the environment; therefore, products are subject to significant scientific scrutiny. Instructions for usage are detailed on the product label and include the specific requirements around application methods.
Provincial regulations cover the licensing and training of individuals, codes of practice and service requirements for the application of pesticides in Alberta. These include reporting requirements, such as amounts of pesticides used, locations and the required public notice of treatment activities.
