Nanaimo homeowners and gardeners will have to find more natural ways to get rid of dandelions and other lawn and garden pests — cosmetic chemical pesticides are officially banned in Nanaimo effective Monday (April 4).
After hearing considerable debate last spring, council voted to approve the ban following a one-year education program to inform residents on alternatives. Nanaimo joins 30 other B.C. municipalities that have opted to eliminate cosmetic pesticides.
Randy Churchill, manager of bylaw services, said enforcement will be complaint-driven.
"The nature of this bylaw is intended to be one of public education," said Churchill. "This is very much an enforceable bylaw through investigation of a complaint. Compliance will be gained, we expect, through an understanding of the bylaw."
Bylaw officers' first task will be to educate first-time offenders rather than fine them, but repeat offenders will be fined if the message does not sink in.
The city did not hire any additional bylaw officers to deal with the new rules.
The new bylaw, however, does not eliminate all chemical use. Households with serious pest problems will still be able to contact pesticide applicators to determine the best approach to eliminate the concern, which could include chemicals. And because there is currently no provincial ban, retailers can still sell chemical herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, all of which are included in the bylaw.
City officials will revisit the new legislation in six months to determine if any amendments need to be made.
A 2008 Ipsos Reid poll indicated 80 per cent of Nanaimo residents favoured a ban on cosmetic pesticides, while 82 per cent had concerns over health impacts of the chemicals. Eight per cent said they would consider alternative methods for lawn and garden care.