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#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!