Q: What is a pesticide?

A: Pesticides are a group of chemicals that include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides. They are composed of both "active ingrediants" (the chemicals intended to kill the undesirable organisms), as well as "formulants" such as solvents, dilutants, or emulsifiers. It is important to note that these formulants may be equally toxic as the active ingrediants. Pesticides are, by definition, toxic to some living things.

Q: Do I have a choice; do I have to use a synthetic herbicide or pesticide?

A: There are alternatives, such as using corn gluten meal for dandelions and proper mowing and watering practices for creating and maintaining a healthy lawn and soil (see Eleven Steps to a Pesticide Free Lawn). When your lawn is healthy, weeds will be crowded out and the few that may appear will be easily manageable with hand digging.

Q: Can I prevent weeds?

A: Herbicides do not prevent weeds. They only work on existing weeds. If you are spraying your lawn in an attempt to prevent weeds you are wasting your money and you are contributing to potential pollution of our rivers and streams. Only good lawn care practices will prevent weeds. If you use a mixed blend of grasses on your lawn, those that are most hardy and suitable for your climate conditions will dominate. In gardens, prevention of weeds comes from good mulching practices, suitable plants for the climate, and healthy soil. Select plants that will do well in your area and that work with nature, not against it.

Q: Does my lawn need to have herbicide and heavy fertilizer applications every year?

A: Herbicides should not be needed every year. No weeds = no herbicide. If you do have a few weeds, hand dig them. The only way to immediately get rid of dandelions is to dig them by hand. If, for some reason, you must use an herbicide, use it only on the weed, spot spray and do not broadcast spray. You will be wasting your money and contributing to pollution. Do not over-fertilize your lawn. It may not need four applicatons of fertilizer a year, especially if you have been fertilizing for years. Use a slow release fertilizer. It will be much more effective. Organic fertilizers release slowly.

Q: How do I pick a responsible lawn/yard care company?

A: Become knowledgeable and be responsible with your questions to them. Ask them the following:

     - Do you offer an organic program?
     - What do you use in your program for weed control?
     - How do you apply it?

Educate yourself on the most frequently used synthetic weed control products and find out what the dangers might be. Question them to find out if they understand and practice effective lawn and soil care. Make sure they understand that each lawn is different and what your neighbour's lawn requires is not necessarily what your lawn requires.

A: Follow the Eleven Steps to a Pesticide Free Lawn and you will create a lawn that will be able to crowd out weeds and that will be lush and healthy.

Q: What is spot treatment for weeds?

A: Spot treatment is treating only the individual weed. Remember, if you have a large area with weeds, chances are your soil is unhealthy and you may need to examine what is going on in that area and treat the problem, not just apply a band-aid solution. Instead of reaching for an herbicide for individual weeds:

     - Hand weed: this is the only way to remove the weed immediately and to                  prevent it from sending out seeds for next year. When you spray the dandelion,        it still goes to seed, ensuring next year's crop.
     - Use boiling water in cracks and between patio stones.
     - If you must use an herbicide (remember it should only be used as a last                    resort), spray it only directly on the weed.

Q: What happens to a pesticide after it is applied?

A: Pesticides eventually make their way into our rivers and streams. A portion of the pesticide applied is washed into storm drains after a heavy rain or after watering your lawn and will eventually end up in our waterways. When pesticides are sprayed, they travel in the air. If you can smell it you are breathing it. Pesticides can be found far from the application sight. Fertilizers are also washed into rivers.

A: Organic fertilizers release slowly (which is most effective), and also supply your soil with beneficial microorganisms.

Q: How much pesticide is used in the city of Calgary?

A: Information from Environmental Management and from Alberta Environment report indicates that homeowners use 4x more than the city, not including lawn care companies.

Q: How do I pick suitable plants for our climate?

A: Go to a nursery where they have knowledge of plants suitable to Calgary's dry climate. Keep the following options in mind:

     - Choose native species plants that are grown in nurseries here.
     - Choose plants that fit the space (amount of sun, dryness, etc.).
     - Group plants together that have the same cultural practices.
     - Create a basic design which allows you to do the above.