Lawn

The use of synthetic pesticides is prohibited at all times in Saint-Lambert even if they are readily available on the market. These pesticides are persistent in the environment and can contaminate water, air and soil. In addition, they have a detrimental impact on biodiversity because they do not target harmful organisms (pests) directly.

They also pose health risks for children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and animals. In fact, they may not be applied near schools and daycares.

They are absorbed by the body – whether through the skin, respiratory tract or mouth – and can cause immediate undesirable effects in people, such as skin and eye irritations, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

In the event of infestation, a special use permit may be issued if alternative methods are not sufficient. Please note that the use of products containing glyphosate, a synthetic pesticide, is prohibited at all times.

Biopesticides and low-impact pesticides

As of January 1, 2025, the use of biopesticides and low-impact pesticides is also prohibited on the territory of Saint-Lambert. They may only be used in the event of an infestation and after obtaining an application certificate.

Why restrict the use of these pesticides?
Low-impact pesticides and biopesticides are recognized as being less harmful, since they are less persistent in the environment and more selective, i.e. they target a particular type of organism. However, this does not mean that they are without danger or impact on our health and the environment in the long term.

Whether pesticides are of natural origin or not, prolonged and repeated exposure to a pesticide can have an impact, particularly if the pesticide is in high concentration. Many pesticides were initially classified as low-impact and subsequently banned. For example, pyrethrin-based products, an insecticide effective against hairy chinch bugs and once considered low-impact, are highly toxic to bees.

Low-impact pesticides authorized in case of infestation and requiring an application certificate:

• Chelated iron against weeds such as dandelion and plantain;
• Products derived from bacillus thuringiensis (Btg) against white grubs;
• Insecticidal soaps, based on potassium salts of fatty acids, against aphids and other small insects;
• Corn gluten-based herbicides against weeds such as crabgrass;
• Products derived from beauveria bassiana against chinch bugs and grubs;
• Diatomaceous earth and borax against ants;
• Products derived from bacillus thuringiensis (Btk) against caterpillars.

To reduce the risk of invasion by pests or undesirable plants, there are a number of preventive actions you can take.

• Action #1 | Plant the right plant in the right place. Where lawns are difficult to grow, opt for ground cover plants (periwinkle, creeping thyme, pachysandra, etc.) or perennial arrangements adapted to the conditions.
  
  Every spring, on the grounds of the multifunctional center (81, rue Hooper), you'll find demonstration plots featuring different types of seed mixes that can replace the usual lawn. Visit them for inspiration!

• Action #2 | Encourage biodiversity. Sowing white clover, fescue and ryegrass or incorporating thyme into the lawn keeps grubs and weeds at bay. These plants require less water, fertilizer and effort to maintain. A win-win situation.
• Action #3 | Use seeds with endophytes. These are beneficial fungi for grasses that increase their resistance to insect pests, disease and drought, helping to prevent weed invasion.
• Action No. 4 | Maintain the lawn at a height of 7.5 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in.). This will help prevent the proliferation of weeds and insects. And waiting until the lawn reaches 10 cm (4 in.) before mowing will keep it green.
• Action no. 5 | Herbicycling. This means leaving the grass cuttings on the ground, without raking. This technique “returns” 30% to 50% of the soil's nitrogen needs to the soil, and maintains a high level of humidity to feed the organisms responsible for the soil's natural fertility, while reducing the use of fertilizers and water.
• Action no. 6 | Water less often, but for longer. This helps to reach the deep roots. An effective trick to avoid lawn dependency is to avoid watering before the June droughts.
• Action no. 7 | Aerate the lawn. If the soil is compacted, in spring or autumn, aerate it using a device that removes “cores” (small plugs of earth) and leave them in place to contribute to soil health. Unlike weeds, grass has difficulty growing in compacted soil.
• Action no. 8 | Feed the soil with compost. This improves water retention and reduces the need for fertilizers.
• Action #9 | Shred leaves in autumn. Instead of raking leaves, shred them with a lawnmower. Earthworms and other soil organisms will recycle them into free compost.

Alternative methods to the use of pesticides :

1. Biological control agents
   Biological control agents are living organisms used to control pests. Nematodes, for use against grubs, are the only biological control agents used in lawn care. In Saint-Lambert, you don't need a permit to apply nematodes.
2. Manual weed pulling
   There are tools specifically designed for pulling weeds, such as the dandelion puller!
3. The good old soapy boiler!
   Capture insects, such as Japanese beetles, and put them in a boiler filled with soapy water (dish soap).
4. SHOP-VAC wet and dry vacuum cleaners
   This type of vacuum cleaner can be very useful if you already have one: suck up hairy bugs in the vacuum cleaner container with a base of soapy water (dish soap).

Whether you treat your lawn yourself or use a contractor’s services, it is your responsibility to find out about the products applied and the proper way to apply them:

• Your contractor must hold a city registration certificate and an application certificate for EVERY pesticide use, even low-impact ones. The following contractors have this registration certificate authorizing their use of pesticides in compliance with our by-law:
  • AJS Extermination
  • Terminix
  • CVert
  • Herbu
  • Experts Verts
  • Weedman
  • Monsieur Gazon
  • Maheu Extermination

• The contractor is responsible for informing people, by posting coloured signs, that a property has been treated with pesticides to prevent all contact with the treated surface. These signs must be compliant with Québec’s Pesticide Management Code and placed so that they can be read without having to walk on the treated surface.
  • Green sign: for a fertilizer;
  • ellow sign: for a low-impact pesticide (requiring a temporary permit from the City for application);
  • Red sign: for a synthetic pesticide (requiring prior obtention of a temporary application permit from the City).

• The property owner is responsible for giving at least 24 hours advance notice to neighbours living adjacent to the property targeted for the application.

• Dandelions that start twisting, or weeds that droop, twist or change colour (purple, yellow or brown) are warning signs, so be vigilant! It is up to you to ensure that the products used by your contractor are authorized by the City.