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Pesticide Control Bylaw

The Pesticide Control Bylaw regulates and prohibits the application of pesticides for the purpose of maintaining outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers, other ornamental plants and turf on a private parcel or on City-owned lands, and applies to:

  • residential properties

  • townhouse complexes and manufactured home parks;

  • tenants and homeowners

  • commercial properties

  • industrial properties

  • City-owned property

The bylaw does not apply to certain property types, i.e., agricultural lands, forestry and golf courses.

Permitted Pesticides

The Pesticide Control Bylaw contains a sample of permitted environmentally friendly pesticides and we have listed some below. The City encourages residents to research pesticide alternatives to avoid using pesticides altogether.

Permitted Products
  • Algaecides and bactericides used in swimming pools, wading pools, whirlpools and ornamental fountains
  • Animal or bird repellents
  • Anti-fouling paints
  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (a naturally occurring bacteria for caterpillar control)
  • Bait insecticides, whereby the bait is enclosed by the manufacturer in a plastic or metal container made in a way that prevents or minimizes access to the bait by humans or animals; (e.g. ant baits)
  • Borax (anti fungal compound)
  • Bordeaux mixture and other sulphur compounds (fungal control)
  • Capsaicin (extract from chilli peppers, control for squirrels and other mammals)
  • Deodorizers
  • Diatomaceous earth
  • Ferric phosphate (for slug and snail control)
  • Injected tree treatments
  • Insecticidal soaps
  • Mineral oils used for insect or mite control
  • Nematodes used for insect control
  • Pesticides used in aerosol containers (e.g. wasp bombs)
  • Pheremones used in conjunction with insect traps
  • Pruning paint
  • Pyrethrum and phenothrin (naturally occurring product used for insect control)
  • Rodenticides (for rat, mouse and mole control)
  • Rotenone (insecticide and used in fish management)
  • Ferrous sulphate (moss control)
Controlling an Infestation

Under the Pesticide Control Bylaw, you're permitted to apply pesticides on City lands and residential lots for controlling pests which have caused an infestation (as defined under the bylaw). But, the bylaw requires that the pesticides be applied by a provincially-certified pesticide applicator.

"Infestation" means the presence of a Pest in numbers or under conditions that involves an immediate risk of damage to property or significant financial loss in respect of the use of property. The determination of what is an infestation is left to a provincially certified pesticide applicator.

"Pests"are any unwanted organisms such as weeds, insects, fungus or rodents that may occur in your yard. A pesticide is a product used to control or destroy these "pests" and include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides, as well as weed and feed type products.

Pesticide may be applied to Private Lands or Public Lands for:
(a) controlling or destroying a Pest which has caused an Infestation; or
(b) ensuring the safety of pedestrian surfaces or sport surfaces,
provided that the application of the Pesticide is carried out by a Certified Applicator and by no other person.

Pesticides may also be used for the following:
(a) Agriculture and any other form of crop production on Agricultural Land;
(b) controlling a Pest on the residential portion of Agricultural Land;
(c) forestry operations;
(d) controlling or destroying a Noxious Weed;
(e) controlling a Pest on buildings or structures, or inside buildings or structures;
(f) low environmental and human health impact Pest control treatment with a Permitted Pesticide;
(g) managing of outbreaks of an introduced invasive exotic or foreign Pest;
(h) managing of Pests that threaten Sensitive Ecosystems;
(i) preventing the deterioration of hard landscapes;
(j) purifying water used for human or animal consumption; and
(k) responding to human or animal health issues.

Under the bylaw, you must avoid pest control products that contain the active ingredients such as: (Note: this is only a partial list.)

  • 2,4-D

  • Mecoprop

  • Dicamba

  • Glyphosate

  • Carbaryl

  • Diazinon

Note that the Bylaw doesn't apply to any control measures and/ or remedies regarding West Nile Virus, for public health reasons and not for landscape maintenance. But, it does include all pesticides used to control pests on lawns or in gardens on single family lands or on city lands, unless they are on the list of permitted pesticides in Schedule 2 of the Integrated Pest Management Act.

Using Fertilizers

You are allowed to use fertilizers in the City of Langley, with the exception of fertilizers that contain herbicides. Most weed and feed type products are not permitted - they contain pesticides not permitted under the bylaw. 

Pesticide Disposal

If you do have pesticides, please dispose of them properly. Do not pour leftover pesticides down the drain, down storm sewers or throw away in your garbage. Always read the label for information on proper disposal.

Visit Metro Vancouver Recycles for a complete list of disposal facilities near you.