What are the NB regulations on cosmetic pesticide use for lawns?

New Brunswick restricts the cosmetic use of pesticides on lawns and ornamental landscapes under the Pesticides Control Act, meaning you cannot apply most synthetic chemical herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides to your lawn purely for aesthetic purposes. This ban has been in effect since 2009 and applies to residential properties, public parks, school grounds, and other non-agricultural land across the province. Understanding what is and is not permitted helps you maintain a healthy lawn while staying within the law.

The restriction covers synthetic pesticides used for cosmetic purposes — that is, applications intended to improve the appearance of your lawn rather than protect human health or safety. Products containing active ingredients like 2,4-D, MCPA, mecoprop, dicamba, carbaryl, diazinon, and malathion (common in traditional weed-and-feed and grub control products) cannot be used on residential lawns. If you find these products still on store shelves in NB, they are typically labelled for agricultural use only and applying them to your residential lawn is a violation.

Important exceptions exist within the NB pesticide regulations. Products classified as lower-risk pesticides — including iron-based herbicides (like Fiesta), corn gluten meal (a natural pre-emergent), horticultural soaps, mineral oils, neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and biological controls like beneficial nematodes and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) — are permitted for residential lawn and garden use. These products are widely available at garden centres across Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John and are effective alternatives for common NB lawn problems. Biopesticides and certain organic products registered by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) are also generally permitted.

Health and safety exemptions allow targeted pesticide use when there is a genuine health or safety concern rather than a purely cosmetic one. This includes controlling poison ivy, treating insect infestations that pose a health risk (such as wasps or ticks), managing invasive species that threaten property, and addressing pest infestations in food gardens. If you need to use a restricted product under a health and safety exemption, you should document the justification and consider consulting a licensed pest management professional.

Practical lawn care under NB's restrictions focuses on cultural practices that promote thick, healthy turf. Mow at 3-3.5 inches to shade out weed seeds. Overseed thin areas in early September. Aerate compacted soil ($100-250 professionally). Apply compost topdressing and leave grass clippings on the lawn. Test and amend your soil pH — NB's acidic soils (pH 4.5-6.0) often need lime to reach the 6.0-6.5 range that grass prefers.

For weed control specifically, iron-based selective herbicides (Fiesta, $20-30 per concentrate bottle) kill broadleaf weeds like dandelions without harming grass and are NB-compliant. Hand-pulling weeds after rain when the soil is soft remains one of the most effective methods for small lawns. For grub control, beneficial nematodes applied in late August are the standard NB-compliant approach. If you are unsure whether a specific product is permitted, check the label for its PMRA registration number and pest control product class, or contact the NB Department of Environment's pesticide management section for guidance.

---

Find a Landscaping Contractor

New Brunswick Landscaping connects you with experienced contractors through the https://newbrunswickconstructionnetwork.com:

• Urban Landscaping Ltd ✓
• Curb Appeal Construction & Landscaping ✓
• Lawrence Landscaping ✓