Fall Preparations

With the fall season coming upon us it is important to start taking care of our lawns and gardens and preparing them for next spring so that they can come back healthy and strong. To do so requires us to follow a few simple tips. Best of all though, preparing our lawns and gardens for next year will not only allow them to come back healthy in the spring, but will also remove your need to use harmful pesticides. To learn more about ways that you can take care of your lawn and garden this fall use this handy sheet put out by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society.

Brett

Pesticide Free,The Way To Bee

The people at the Canadian Cancer Society office in North Battleford put on their creativity caps this past week and came up with a neat way to remind us all to 'bee' pesiticde free.

Using their front window display the office made a colourful showing reminding passers by of the importance of being pesticide free and how it effects the environment around them. However, their insect creations proved to be the most unique idea. Using obsolete breast prosthesis, previously used by breast cancer patients, they created some fun looking insects for their display.

So hats off to those in the North Battleford office for their creativity and work to help promote a pesticide free home. Being pesticide free is a great way to not only help reduce ones chances for developing cancer, but it helps protect the insect population that makes for a healthy and beautiful home and garden.

Brett

Are your summer plants coated with an insecticide?

All gardeners want to have the best flowers and plants possible for their garden. And one of the best ways to have a growing and healthy garden is to have pollinators like bees around. In an attempt to help support bees new "bee friendly plants" have been created. But a recently released report shows that we must all take some precaution in buying such products. The report released from the Pesticide Research Institute in the United States found that 7 of 13 types of garden plants purchased at top retailers contained neonicotinoids, which is a neurotoxic pesticide that is harming or killing bees and other pollinators.

The report also showed another troubling issue. That neonicotinoids were found in tomatoes and squash plants that were sold. This is important as not only are pollinators at risk, but people who eat these products are then being exposed to these harmful pesticides. Further to this it has been discovered that neonicotinoids can stay in the soil for months and years after.

And there is growing evidence to show just how harmful neonicotinoids really are to the bee population. Last year, after a significant number of bees had died during the spring Health Canada looked into the matter. After conducing their tests they found that 70% of the bees had traces of neonicotinoids. This added to an already declining bee population and has had a great impact on some bee keepers in Canada who are losing their hives at alarming rates of between 70-90%.

This is important to note considering the important role bees play in the economy and our own food production. A United States Drug Administration report found that "a third of all food and beverages are made possible by pollination, mainly by honeybees. Pollination contributes to an estimated $20 billion to $30 billion in U.S. agricultural production each year."

In response to the dangers of neonicotinoids the European Union has passed a two year ban on its use to allow for further study on its use. In Ontario, Premier Kathleen Wynne is forming a committee to launch an investigation into its effects.

So next spring when you head out to buy your plants for the season make sure to take extra care and avoid plants with neonicotinoids. Your garden will thank you...and so will the bees.

Brett

For more information on neonicotinoids go to the following links:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/story/2013/08/14/kitchener-bees-deaths-pesticide.html

http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/08/13/3439847/study-plants-from-top-retailers.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/07/03/f-dead-bees.html

And for more information on pesticides and ways you can reduce your use go to:

www.pesticidefreeforlife.ca

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Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/08/13/3439847/study-plants-from-top-retailers.html#storylin

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Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/08/13/3439847/study-plants-from-top-retailers.html#storylink=cpy

And Manitoba Makes Seven

Exciting news came from our neighbours to the east. The Government of Manitoba has announced that it will be banning the use of cosmetic pesticides by the start of 2015. In doing so Manitoba will become the seventh province to have legislation banning cosmetic pesticides. Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador and over 150 communities nationwide have made the change and are seeing the benefits. In Ontario, a Ministry of the Environment study found that after the ban had been in place for two years the levels of the three most common lawn care pesticides had dropped by around 80% in urban streams.

Our families, our friends, and even our pets, all benefit when we stop using harmful cosmetic pesticides. So congrats to the Manitoba Government for making this positive decision. One can only hope that if a prairie province like Manitoba is willing to make this change Saskatchewan and Alberta won't be too far behind. But with British Colombia considering the idea of implementing a ban they may soon be.

For more information on the ban you can read Dianne Saxe's article on the ban or visit the Government of Manitoba's site to read the full press release.

Brett

Evans Court Takes The Lead

Last year Sanela had the opportunity to go and meet with the people who live at Evans Court in Regina during their AGM. At the meeting she showed them how they could improve the green spaces around their homes without the need for cosmetic pesticides. Just a few days ago one of the condo owners at Evans Court sent us an e-mail informing us that they are going strong in their commitment to use only organic techniques. And for it they have all reduced their risk to being effected by pesticide use.

The people of Evans Court are taking the lead by not using cosmetic pesticides anymore and you can too. Visit this link to get some tips on how to take care of your own lawn all year round and avoid the need for cosmetic pesticides and reduce your risk.

Brett

Notice

Sanela is now on maternity leave for the next year. So I (Brett Estey) will be taking over for Sanela. But I will make sure to keep updating this blog with new information during my time in her place.

So with that I would like to congratulate Sanela on the birth of her child and wish her and her family all the best.

Brett

Is the grass greener on the other side?

Remember that your lawn will be just as green without using pesticides. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) has tips and advice on how you can have a naturally beautiful lawn.

“The key to a healthy lawn is healthy soil,” explains Allyson Brady, SES Executive Director. “Allow your lawn to naturally fight off pests by ensuring that you have at least 15cm of topsoil.”

You can make your own organic top-dressing by using equal parts aged manure, compost (or peat moss), and weed-free topsoil. This will act as a natural fertilizer, ensuring that your lawn has the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Remember to over-seed your grass.  Grass plants, like all living things, eventually die so it is important to re-seed. Sprinkle grass seed by hand over the top dressing you have just applied. Use 500g of seed for every 20 square meters.

On May 6, SES and the City of Saskatoon started a ten-week information campaign to raise awareness about reducing the use of cosmetic pesticides.

For more information on how you can have a naturally beautiful lawn, visit the www.bepesticidefree.ca and click on the natural yard care factsheets.

Happy Earth Day Canada!

Pesticides and your Pet's Health

Tis the season! It is spring! What does this mean?? We will spend more and more time in our backyards, flower beds and gardens. Let's think how we can limit the amount of chemicals we use on our lawns and gardens. This week, in honour of EARTH DAY, we would like to look at pesticides and how they affect your pet's health.

What is a Pesticide?

A pesticide is any chemical substance that is designed to kill a living thing that is considered a pest. Pesticides refer to insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides.

What are the Health Effects of Pesticides?

Cancer is by far the most rising concern involving pesticides and pets. Recent studies have shown that dogs living in yards that have been treated with pesticides (particularly 2,4-D) have a higher risk of developing canine malignant lymphoma. In certain breeds, such as the Scottish terrier, the risk of certain cancers can rise by as much as 4 times1.

How Do They Affect My Pet?

Whether you’re using a pesticide indoors (eg. raid) or outdoors (eg. roundup), whether you’re spot treating or using a widespread application, your pet is at risk to contact the pesticide. Where a pesticide is applied, the area up to 15 meters in all directions is generally considered contaminated as well. Even small scale applications can contaminate a large area, increasing the likelihood of your pet being affected. By walking on a lawn recently treated with pesticides, a pet can become contaminated. Non-target species, such as birds can also spread the pesticides to your pets. Watch for signs and notices indicating recently treated areas.

Pesticides and Poisoning

It is only logical that pets are at a higher risk from the use of pesticides. Pets, like children, are lower to the ground and they spend a lot of time in contact with areas that may be contaminated. Many things also go into their mouths after being in contact with a contaminated surface. Self-grooming, and playing with toys also increases exposure.

Pets are inquisitive and playful by nature – by simply playing in a yard, park or body of water that has been treated with a pesticide, your pet will be at risk of exposure. Acute symptoms of exposure to pesticides can include strange behaviour, stumbling, excess salivating, vomiting and seizure. Long-term effects can range from liver and kidney damage to neurological damage.

Remember:

Keep your pets off recently treated lawns!

If you do use pesticides, keep your pet off of the treated area for the recommended amount of time.

Applying pesticides in your yard increases their presence in your home.

Pets are at a higher risk of contamination because they are closer to the ground and very likely to lick or chew things, such as toys, that are contaminated.

What Can I Do to Protect My Pet?

Consider not using pesticides in your yard. Cosmetic pesticide use is not necessary and is causing health issues in people and in pets. There are alternatives to using pesticides.

Provincial and municipal pesticide by-laws exist across Canada and are by far the best protection against pesticides.

 

 

 

Needing tips on creating the garden of your dreams! Register online at ReginaLibrary.ca for the session of your choice!

http://www.reginalibrary.ca/pdf/spring_garden.pdf

Earth Day is coming up folks!!!

Earth Day is an annual day on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Earth Day is observed on April 22 each year. The April 22 date was designated as International Mother Earth Day by a consensus resolution adopted by the United Nations in 2009.
Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network,  and is celebrated in more than 192 countries every year.