Domestic (Home & Garden) Lawn Care Pesticides

The Province of Prince Edward Island regulates the sale and use of domestic class lawn-care pesticides. 

What are the pesticides that homeowners can purchase and use?

Lower Risk Domestic Class Pesticide

There are 39 different active ingredients that are considered lower risk.  These include active ingredients like soap, iron, corn gluten, and acetic acid.  They can be sold in any size container or in any formulation (e.g. granular, liquid, concentrated).  A complete listing of these active ingredients can be found in Schedule 8 of the Pesticides Control Act General Regulations 

Other Domestic Class Pesticides

Other domestic class pesticides can be sold and used in Prince Edward Island except those that meet one or more of the following characteristics:

• combination products in large quantities (greater than 1 litre or 1 kilogram):  This includes domestic lawn care products that combine a pesticide with a fertilizer (e.g. weed and feed).
• hose-end products:  This includes all domestic lawn care pesticide products that are applied using a garden hose.  These are most commonly used to apply herbicides over large areas, but can also be used for other types of pesticides.
• concentrates and products requiring preparation:  This applies to all domestic lawn care pesticides that require mixing, dilution, or some other form of measuring or measurement-related handling by the user before application.  For example, a pesticide that must be diluted with water would fall within this category.
• granular spreadable products in large quantities (greater than 1 litre or 1 kilogram):  This includes granular and pelletized domestic lawn care pesticides that are applied using a spreading device (for example, spreadable herbicide pellets).
• pesticide products containing 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid:   All domestic lawn care pesticide products that contain 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, which is commonly known as 2,4-D.

As part of this initiative, lawn-care pesticides will not be used on crown-owned property, with the exclusion of golf courses.  The new legislation does not affect the use of pesticides for agricultural or forestry purposes.

What does this mean for you?

Homeowners may still purchase and apply many ready-to-use lawn-care pesticides.  They can also hire a lawn care company to apply pesticides to their property.  However, lawn care companies can no longer apply some products, including pesticides that contain 2,4-D (a herbicide).  

Where can I dispose of domestic pesticides?

Domestic pesticides and pesticide containers are considered to be household hazardous waste.  They can be disposed of, free of charge, at any of the Island Waste Management Corporation disposal facilities on Prince Edward Island.

Is there compliance and enforcement?

Inspections, investigations, orders, and prosecutions are used to ensure compliance with pesticide legislation.  Penalties for violating the Pesticides Control Act range from $1,000 - $50,000 for a person and $5,000 - $250,000 for a corporation.