Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the maintenance of detrimental insects, weeds and other organisms at tolerable levels. A combination of cultural, physical/mechanical, biological and microbial/chemical pesticide control methods are used to keep environmental impacts to a minimum.
Control methods used are based on seasonal monitoring. IPM strategies are helping to reduce the need for chemical control. The City of Red Deer encourages residents to be selective in their use of control methods.
How Does IPM Work?
Integrated pest management involves a systematic approach to managing detrimental organisms in natural systems. It begins with prioritizing which pests warrant controls and then informing the public about realistic expectations involved in controlling such pests. The next step consists of monitoring the pest populations and establishing tolerable damage levels. City staff then use the least disruptive method of control and follow up with monitoring to establish the effectiveness of controls.
Significance to the Community
An IPM program allows for the adoption of new environmentally friendly products and control methods and fosters greater public health and wellness. It’s all part of our approach to dealing with pest nuisances, and it means that we use pesticides sparingly, whether we’re dealing with mosquitoes, tree pests or weeds. We try to balance the use of chemical pesticides with other control methods, including manual removal of pests where it’s appropriate. We think it’s important for the environment, and for everyone’s health, to keep our use of pesticides to a minimum.
Pesticide Use Programs
This is to notify that The City of Red Deer intends to conduct pesticide control programs as necessary during the season. Control programs may include weed, insect pests and mosquitoes (in accordance with Pesticide Service Registration 254731-00-00, issued by Alberta Environment, for landscape and biting fly pesticide applications and Approval 17891-03-00 for mosquitoes). In addition, control of some weeds is required under the regulations of the Provincial Weed Control Act.
All pesticides used and control procedures will be in accordance with federally approved label recommendations and the requirements set by Alberta Environment.
The City of Red Deer uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for pest problems. Where possible chemical pesticide controls for pests are only used when alternative control measures would not be effective. Control measures using physical/mechanical (e.g. hand picking weeds and insects, pruning out tree pathogens, use of machinery), biological, and microbial pesticide (e.g. Bacillus thuringiensis for mosquito control) methods are used where practical and effective.
For further information concerning dates and locations of pest control applications contact the Recreation, Parks & Culture Department at 403-342-8234.
