What are reduced-risk pesticides?

Reduced-risk pesticides are those that may reasonably be expected to accomplish one or more of the following:

• Reduce the risks of pesticides to human health
• Reduce the risks of pesticides to non-target organisms
• Reduce the potential for contamination of groundwater, surface water or other valued environmental resources
• Broaden the adoption of integrated pest management strategies, or
  make such strategies more available or more effective

Reduced risk pesticides are either synthesized chemicals or biopesticides derived from animals, plants, fungi or bacteria. Examples of synthesized reduced risk pesticides are plant and insect growth regulators, and chemicals that kill the pest but not the natural enemies.

Biopesticides include microbial pesticides (containing a live bacterium, fungus, virus, protozoan, or alga as the active ingredient), and chemicals derived from animals, bacteria, fungi and plants. A common biopesticide is Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, that has different strains to specifically control caterpillar, mosquito, or beetle pests.

What reduced-risk pesticides have been registered for use on turf?

To learn more about reduced-risk pesticides for use on lawns and turf, consult the most recent Update on Reduced-Risk Pesticides in Canada.