Pesticides

Thank you for your interest in going pesticide free for the growing season. Did you know that 88% of Saskatoon residents surveyed believe pesticides are harmful to human health? Read on for lots of helpful information on how to maintain a beautiful yard without the use of pesticides.

Click here to commit to going pesticide free, and be entered into a prize draw.

It’s natural to want a beautiful yard that contributes to the visual vibrancy of our community but what cost are we willing to pay for the perfect pest- and weed-free lawn and garden?

The cosmetic use of pesticides in and around our homes has significant unintentional impacts on human health, animals, plant and the environment. Medical experts recommend that we reduce our dependence on the use of pesticides for the beautification of our lawns, gardens, greenways, school yards, parks and golf courses in order to have a truly beautiful, health and safe city for everyone.

While there is still much to learn about the health impacts of pesticides, we know enough to justify taking a precautionary approach. SES encourages you to consider the risks of using pesticides, then consider the ease of the alternatives. You’ll soon learn that to be pesticide free, it doesn’t cost a thing.

SES Pesticide Publications

Health Concerns:

Pesticides and Human Health (PDF)
Canadian Cancer Society and Pesticides

General Yard Care:

Calendar for Garden Care (PDF)
A 10-Step Guide to a Healthy Lawn (PDF)
10 Tips for a Healthy Garden (PDF)

Problem Pests:

Problem Pests in the Garden (PDF)
Brochure: Dandelions and Ants (PDF)
Problem Pests: Ants and Aphids (PDF)
Problem Pests: Quackgrass and Chickweed (PDF)
Problem Pests: Creeping Charlie (PDF)
Problem Pests: Rover Bellflower (PDF)
Problem Pests: Wasps (PDF)
Problem Pests: Dandelions (PDF)
Problem Pests: Tent Caterpillars and Cankerworms (PDF)
Problem Pests: Fairy Rings (PDF)

Resources

"Read Your Weeds - A simple guide to creating a Healthy Lawn"  (PDF) - by the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns

Pesticide Reduction is Possible — a World Wildlife Fund Canada site that looks at the issues surrounding pesticide use, the alternatives, and how pesticide use can be reduced

Healthy Lawns web site — information from Health Canada on how to have a pesticide free lawn

Non-Pesticidal Control of Insects — information from Environment Canada on how to deal with problem pests

Organic Gardening — information on organic gardening

PANNA: Pesticide Action Network North America - advancing alternatives to pesticides worldwide

Local resources

Gardenline — local information for everything growing in your yard

City of Saskatoon's Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides — Information from the City of Saskatoon on alternative methods of pest control for lawns, trees, shrubs, and vegetable gardens

Saskatchewan Network for Alternatives to Pesticides (SNAP) - raising province wide awareness of pesticides through education and encouraging local networking

Press Release July 30, 2009: Saskatoon Health Region praised for showing leadership in eliminating the use of herbicides (PDF)

Pesticides and Human Health

The Ontario College of Family Physicians

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment