The Ontario Cosmetic Pesticides Ban

Using pesticides on our lawns and gardens is unnecessary and harms our environment along with the health of our families and pets.

As kids grow, their small bodies can be more sensitive to the effects of pesticides. And because they spend a lot of time playing outdoors, they have a greater chance of coming into contact with harmful pesticides.

That’s why Ontario has banned the use and sale of pesticides for cosmetic purposes.

This ban replaces any municipal bylaws. It’s the same all across the province. That means anywhere you live in Ontario, you, your family and the environment are protected.

Some exceptions to the ban do exist for health or safety reasons – such as removing poison ivy or controlling mosquitoes to prevent West Nile Virus.

Health & safety exceptions to the ban

You can still buy pesticides to control:

• poisonous plants, such as poison ivy;
• insects that bite, sting, are venomous or are disease carrying, like mosquitoes;
• and animals, insects or plants that may cause damage to a structure, such as termites.

Ask at your garden centre or hardware store for details.

Safely disposing of pesticides

Help protect our environment by properly disposing of leftover pesticides.

Never put pesticides in the garbage and never pour them down the drain where they could affect our drinking water and kill aquatic life.

You can dispose of pesticides by taking them to household hazardous waste depots in your area. Some municipalities also hold special collection events for pesticides and other household hazardous materials.

To find out about collection events or where to find the closest depot to you, visit dowhatyoucan.ca.