Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a process that uses all necessary techniques to suppress pests effectively, economically,and in an environmentally sound manner. IPM involves planning and managing ecosystems to prevent organisms from becoming pests. This requires identifying potential pest problems through monitoring and recording weather and pest population levels and establishing thresholds to make treatment decisions to reduce pest populations to acceptable levels. Management strategies may include a combination of biological, physical, cultural, mechanical, behavioral, and chemical controls. Equally important is evaluating the effectiveness of the treatments.
Ontario's cosmetic pesticides ban took effect April 22, 2009. The requirements of the ban are detailed in Ontario Regulation 63/09 made under the Pesticides Act, which was amended by the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008. The ban contains exceptions for health or safety (including public works, or, buildings and other structures that are not public works), golf facilities, specialty turf, specified sports fields, arboriculture and the production of natural resources, if certain conditions are met.
The IPM Council of Canada brings together industry assocations and groups committed to having IPM as the standard in turf, landscape care, structural and public works vegetation management. The Council believes that science has shown IPM ensures environmental sustainability and minimizes the requirement for pesticides.
Reviewed 10/13/2023