The City of Edmonton manages pests such as weeds, tree pests, plant diseases, stinging/biting insects, pest animals and water-borne diseases using a variety of programs.
Improving soil quality and manual weed control, by hand pulling and digging, are the first choices in managing weeds. Herbicides are used when these other methods are not reliable or feasible enough to meet provincial requirements and parkland standards.
Pesticide Exemption Program
Under this program, Edmontonians who want to restrict application of pesticides on City property that is within 30 metres can submit a request.
How it Works
After applying online, you will receive a confirmation email indicating your exemption has become active. City employees and contractors will not apply pesticides within 30 metres of your residence unless there is a ‘pertinent need’ to do so. In that situation, you will be contacted 48 hours prior to the application.
In this situation, pertinent need is defined as:
- Risk to public safety, such as swarming/stinging insects or toxic plants
- Invasive insects with the potential for substantial economic and ecological impact
- Infestations that cannot be controlled without large-scale invasive excavation; all other available methods of control will be assessed before a pesticide is used
Pesticide Exemption Program Application Form
Renewal
An automatic renewal notice will be issued in January of the renewal year.
Renew by emailing pesticideexemption@edmonton.ca or at 780-496-5995. Renewals must be received before April of the application year. Current registrants that were registered for either program will be automatically enrolled in the new program for one year.
Techniques and Standards
Evaluations of new systems, techniques, products, and biological controls help to steer the continual improvement of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and reduce conventional pesticide use.
In situations where pesticide use is deemed necessary, treatments are applied by certified pesticide applicators who follow federal and provincial legislation. Beyond these legislations, the pesticide applicators also follow the best practices outlined in the City’s IPM policy. Only products approved by Health Canada are used.
Results
The City’s Integrated Pest Management approach has led to major reductions in pesticide use and the majority of Edmonton’s parkland is free of pesticide exposure. Of that parkland, less than 10% of the managed turf area receives herbicide treatments per year.
Since 2004, 45 parkland sites have been maintained without the use of herbicides. These herbicide-free sites were designated by City council in association with the development of the Integrated Pest Management policy.