Pesticides and Pest Management

If not properly managed, pests can affect our quality of life in many different ways. Pests can be harmful to public health and the environment as well as create significant negative impacts on the economy if they are not efficiently controlled. When non-pesticide methods to prevent or control pest infestations are unsuccessful, individuals and professionals often turn to a pest control product or pesticide.

Pesticides are regulated by Health Canada under the Pest Control Products Act, and are among the most stringently regulated substances in Canada. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency is the branch of Health Canada that administers the Act on behalf of the Minister of Health. Our primary objective is to prevent unacceptable risks to people and the environment from the use of pesticides.

To accomplish this, each pesticide goes through a thorough scientific evaluation to determine if it meets current health and environmental standards. Only those pesticide products that meet Health Canada's standards and that are proven to be effective can be accepted for use in Canada.

Health Canada's involvement does not end once a pesticide is on the market. Both pesticides and how they are used are monitored through a series of education, compliance and enforcement programs. Furthermore, after a pesticide has been on the market for several years, Health Canada conducts another evaluation. It re-evaluates the pesticide using the latest scientific methods and information to determine if it continues to meet Health Canada's health and environmental standards and whether it can continue to be used in Canada. Pesticides are re-evaluated every fifteen years.

Your Role

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), promotes various methods to effectively control pests and prevent infestations. In order to reduce or eliminate the need for pesticide use, you can:

• Answer the question: Do I really have a pest problem?
• Understand pest behaviour;
• Modify your physical environment to make it less attractive to pests; and,
• Modify your physical environment to altogether repel the pest.

If you choose to use pesticides, be sure to use them properly.

Additional Resources

• Acts and Regulations
• Consultations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Homeowner Guidelines for Pesticide Use