This article explores recent changes to the Code de gestion des pesticides, Québec’s pesticide management code. Even if you live outside of Québec, what’s happening here offers a glimpse into the present — and possibly the future — of residential pesticide use across North America. It’s also a reminder that every garden, lawn, and flowerbed plays a role in something much bigger. How are pesticides managed in your area?
My first exposure to pesticides happened when I was very young: I must have been only 5 or 6 years old. Our next-door neighbor had applied a weed killer on the lawn in front of his house. My father had warned me not to go near it.
I remember very clearly the little white sign that appeared on their property: a figure crossed out with a red circle. It immediately piqued my curiosity. I had seen it elsewhere before and, as I recall, I thought it was rather cute. As a child, I was even a little happy to see it everywhere in the summer, cheerfully repeating that it was poison… without really understanding what I was saying.
That naive happiness didn’t last. A few days later, I found one of our many kittens—back then, cats were rarely neutered—dead, close to the neighbor’s lawn. The cause of death was obvious: before dying, the little one had vomited grass, its muzzle still buried in it. I doubt it was simply an grass overdose.
Let’s just say that, since that day, I’ve hated those little signs… and my neighbor, too, for that matter. Maybe that’s why, a few years later, I threw rocks into his pool. (Yes, I admit it, it was me!)
New Pesticide Regulations in Quebec
On June 21, 2023, Decree 990-2023 was adopted by the Quebec government on the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. This decree amends the Pesticide Management Code and the Regulation Respecting Permits and Certificates for the Sale and Use of Pesticides. It imposes stricter controls on the sale and use of pesticides, revises certain categories of permits and certificates, and allows the government to impose penalties or fines for non-compliance with the established rules. These amendments came into force on various dates: July 6, 2023, July 6, 2024, January 1, 2025, and July 6, 2025.
What exactly changed on July 6, 2025? I won’t go into all the details that concern professionals or pesticide license holders, but rather focus on what changes for citizens and amateur gardeners.
Understanding the Classes and Appendices of the Pesticide Management Code
Before examining the changes that have recently come into effect, it is useful to understand how the classes and schedules of the Pesticide Management Code work, which specify which ingredients are prohibited.
In Quebec, pesticides are classified according to their level of risk and the regulatory requirements that apply to them. Classes 4 and 5 are for “domestic use,” meaning they are most accessible to the general public, as no license or certificate is required to purchase or use them. Class 4 pesticides include gardening and pest control products for common domestic use, such as certain herbicides and insecticides sold in hardware stores and garden centers. These products may pose a moderate risk but can still be used without formal training. Class 5 products are considered to pose a very low risk and include insecticidal soaps, biopesticides, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, and diatomaceous earth.
The Pesticide Management Code also has several appendices listing active ingredients whose use is restricted or prohibited in certain contexts. Appendix I lists those prohibited for the maintenance of green spaces (lawns, flower beds, hedges, etc.), even if they are found in class 4 or 5 products. Annex II lists ingredients that are prohibited on golf courses, with some exceptions. Annex III concerns products that are prohibited for indoor plants, and Annex IV lists those that are prohibited for pest control inside homes.
This means that even products that appear harmless and were still on sale until recently may now be banned if they contain an active ingredient targeted by these annexes. The aim of this regulation is to reduce citizens’ exposure to pesticides in residential areas, while protecting public health, biodiversity, and soil quality.
Types of Pesticides
The Quebec Pesticide Management Code classifies pesticides according to their use. Here are the main categories:
- Fungicides: products that prevent or treat diseases caused by fungi (e.g., mildew, black spots).
- Insecticides: products designed to kill or repel harmful insects (e.g., aphids, beetles, caterpillars).
- Herbicides: products that destroy or control weeds, including moss control products.
- Rodenticides: poisons intended to eliminate rodents such as rats and mice.
- Other pesticides: include growth regulators (which modify plant development), adjuvants (which improve the effectiveness of other pesticides), and repellents (which keep animals away).
Not Just for the Lawn
It was already prohibited to sell or offer for sale to the general public a Class 4 or 5 pesticide containing an active ingredient listed in Annex I if it was intended for use on grass surfaces. This prohibition has now been expanded to apply not only to lawns, as was already the case, but to all green spaces, including flower beds, hedges, parks, and residential gardens. In other words, a greater number of products available to the general public can no longer be sold or used for outdoor ornamental purposes, except for specific exceptions provided for in the regulations.
Another Important Change
Several active ingredients have been added to Annexes III and IV, which means that they are now prohibited for sale to the general public if intended for use in the care of indoor plants (Annex III) or for pest control indoors (Annex IV).
Products such as Acephate Pro 75 SP (used to control aphids, thrips, and ants), Adama’s Silencer (an insecticide used against lepidoptera, aphids, and leaf beetles), Sivanto Prime (which targets sucking insects such as whiteflies and aphids) and OnGuard Professional P 22 RTU (intended for the control of crawling and flying insects in and around buildings) are now among the products banned from sale over the counter in Quebec since July 6, 2025.
However, the ban does not apply to solid pesticides used in traps, stations, or closed containers that prevent contact with non-target people or animals, such as ant traps or closed bait stations for rodents.
Permethrin and Pyrethrins Also Banned
Permethrin and pyrethrins are widely used insecticides, but they are now banned from retail sale for certain uses in Quebec following amendments to the Pesticide Management Code that came into effect on July 6, 2025.
Although they are often associated with “natural” or low-risk solutions, these substances can have significant harmful effects on the environment and non-target wildlife.
Pyrethrins
Pyrethrins are natural insecticides derived from the flowers of Dalmatian pyrethrum or certain chrysanthemums, notably Persian chrysanthemum (Tanacetum coccineum). They act quickly by paralyzing the nervous system of insects, making them effective against many pests such as aphids, ants, and flies. However, their toxicity is not limited to harmful insects: they are also highly toxic to bees, fish, and other beneficial species, raising serious environmental concerns if not used responsibly.
Permethrin
Permethrin, on the other hand, is a synthetic version of pyrethrins. It is more stable and persists longer in the environment. It is found in various products, including lice treatments, clothing repellents, and outdoor insecticides. Despite its effectiveness, permethrin is toxic to cats, fish, and several beneficial insects.
Raid’s Earthblends line and several Safer products, including End-All, are among the products containing pyrethrins that will no longer be available for retail sale as of July 6, 2025. Note that Safer also offers insecticidal soaps without pyrethrins, which are considered non-toxic.
I believe that some people have doubts about banning the domestic use of pyrethrins on the grounds that they are natural. Personally, I make no distinction between organic and synthetic pesticides: if they are toxic to wildlife or humans or harmful to ecosystems, their origin is irrelevant to me. These products should be banned from our gardens! You might say that we just need to use them properly… but let’s be honest: if that were the case, we probably wouldn’t even need a Pesticide Management Code.
Alternatives To Toxic Pesticides?
As more and more toxic pesticides are being taken off the market, gardeners need to turn to more sustainable and less risky solutions. This starts with prevention: choosing plants that are well suited to their environment and naturally resistant to insects and diseases, promoting biodiversity, and maintaining healthy soil through composting, mulching, and crop rotation.
Biological control is also gaining importance, with the introduction or protection of natural predators such as ladybugs and nematodes, as well as the use of biopesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis, horticultural oils, and insecticidal soaps without pyrethrins. In addition, there are mechanical methods (nets, traps, barriers, manual collection) and low-impact products such as plant extracts, sulfur, baking soda, and diatomaceous earth—a natural abrasive powder that is effective against many crawling insects.
All of these strategies are part of an integrated approach, where you observe, identify, and only intervene when necessary, accepting that a certain level of pest presence is part of the natural balance. Consider Larry Hodgson’s 15-pace rule: “Before treating, step back 15 paces: if you can’t see the problem at 15 paces, it’s probably not worth treating!”
Golf Courses Are No Longer Untouchable
This recent update also restricts the use of certain pesticides on golf courses, which were previously exempt from several provisions of the Code. I welcome this, as many golf courses are located near sensitive areas such as wetlands, lakes, rivers, conservation areas, and even residential neighborhoods. However, pesticides used on greens and fairways can easily run off into waterways, affecting aquatic ecosystems or contributing to the collapse of biodiversity in surrounding areas.
By imposing stricter regulations on their use, the Quebec government is sending a clear message: even sectors traditionally considered “untouchable” will now have to contribute to reducing pesticide use and protecting the environment. This is an important and welcome ecological shift for an industry that has had little regulation in this area until now.
Professionals, Agriculture, and Sensitive Environments
The Quebec Pesticide Management Code authorizes, under strict conditions, the use of certain pesticides prohibited to the general public by professionals or certified individuals. To do so, companies must obtain a permit for use, and individuals must obtain a certificate issued by the ministry. These authorizations require specialized training and are accompanied by obligations such as keeping a log, strict compliance with application conditions, and, in some cases, obtaining prior specific authorization.
This framework also applies to the agricultural sector, where certified producers can continue to use certain pesticides to protect their crops from pests, diseases, or weeds, even when these products are banned from sale to the public. In theory, this use is regulated by strict safety standards and the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), which favors non-chemical methods such as crop rotation, nets, or traps. In practice, however, questions remain about the real effectiveness of these measures and their practical application in the field, especially when there is economic pressure or a lack of monitoring. Unfortunately, dependence on pesticides remains high.
The Code also provides for exceptions for uses deemed to be of priority, such as the control of invasive alien species (e.g., Japanese knotweed or phragmites). These species can seriously threaten natural environments, agriculture, or infrastructure. Qualified professionals may therefore apply pesticides in specific contexts, provided they comply with strict rules to avoid adverse effects on biodiversity or public health.
For the Love of Cats
Perhaps it was that little kitten lying dead near the treated grass that awakened in me, well before my time, a rudimentary ecological awareness—or at least a distrust of these products that kill silently. Today, I am relieved to see that Quebec is strengthening its rules to better protect humans, wildlife, and all the little creatures that are too often forgotten.
These new restrictions are not perfect, and several issues remain: for example, glyphosate is still permitted for retail sale, despite being banned in several cities, such as Quebec City, Laval and Montreal. But they mark an important step: recognizing that, even in our gardens, every action counts.
So if you see one of those little white signs again this summer, I hope you’ll think of that kitten too. And maybe, like me, you’ll feel like throwing a stone into your neighbor’s pool… or better yet, cultivating lasting change. (Note: please don’t throw rocks in your neighbour’s pool, I don’t want to be held responsible!)
Very informative, thank you for the article.
Yes fabulous. All of Canada needs to ban the same toxic chemicals. Hurray for Quebec having the foresight to ban them.
Foresight? I guess that word doesn’t mean what I thought it did. However, commendations to those who did finally act to protect their community from a few more of such known, unnecessary, toxic risks. Thank you! Better late than never. Now if only the authorities in my state of residence would follow that example!