Residents still using pesticides, despite no complaints

Aug 23, 2016 | 6:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s more than a year since Kamloops City Council passed a controversial by-law that banned cosmetic pesticides on lawns and ornamental trees and shrubs. It was officially implemented on January 1. 

Despite the tighter restriction, Kamloops By-law officers have yet to receive any complaints this summer, meaning no fines have been levied. 

However, that does not by any means indicate everyone’s following the rules. 

“I think we’re being naive if we think nobody has sprayed their lawn in Kamloops,” says Pronto Maintenance Manager Corey Munegatto. “You know homeowners are going to Home Depot or wherever and grabbing a bottle of whatever they need. Just nobody has called in that complaint.”

On CFJC Today’s Facebook page, some residents are openly admitting they still use pesticides, one joking “OH NO, here comes the White Van,” saying everyone applies Round Up in their yard.

Meanwhile, Jo-Ann Fox, a professional agrologist and former program manager of the Southern Interior Weed Management Committee, says pesticide by-law or not, some people just want a good-looking lawn.

“I drive down, and one yard is covered with dandelions and clover, and the next yard is lush and green — without any kind of plant growing except grass,” says Fox. “So it becomes pretty apparent just driving down the streets exactly where these herbicides are being applied.”

Without the use of pesticides, the average costs of landscaping for Pronto has gone up this summer, and they have seen a significant drop in their customer base — as much as 30%. Some people in Kamloops are turning away from the professionals and deciding to use pesticides on their own.