Pesticide application on green spaces, golf courses, indoor plants and for pest management

Pesticides are sometimes used for the maintenance of green spaces, golf courses and indoor plants, as well as for pest management. They should be used as little as possible, and preference should be given to products that are least harmful to people’s health and to the environment. When they are used, rules must be followed. For example, companies must hold a permit and the people they employ must hold a certificate to apply pesticides in these sectors. 

To apply pesticides, you must hold the required permit or certificate depending on your sector of activity.

Green space maintenance

If your company applies pesticides for the maintenance of green spaces, make sure it holds a permit “Application in green space maintenance” (subcategory C4 or D4).

If you apply pesticides for these purposes, make sure you hold a certificate for application in green space maintenance (subcategory CD4) or work under the supervision of the holder of such a certificate.

Golf course maintenance

If your company applies pesticides for the maintenance of a golf course, make sure it holds a permit “Application on a golf course” (subcategory C11 or D11).

If you apply pesticides for these purposes, make sure you hold a certificate for application on a golf course (subcategory CD11) or work under the supervision of the holder of such a certificate. Until July 5, 2028, golf courses that hold a subcategory D11 permit may hire holders of a subcategory CD4 certificate, under certain conditions. For more information, see the Administrative position to facilitate the implementation of the new rules regarding certificates for the application of pesticides on golf courses (PDF 197 Kb) (in French only).

Indoor plant maintenance

If your company applies pesticides for indoor plant maintenance, make sure it holds a permit “Application in buildings for horticultural purposes” (subcategory C10 or D10).

If you apply pesticides for these purposes, make sure you hold a certificate for application in buildings for horticultural purposes (subcategory CD10) or work under the supervision of the holder of such a certificate.

Pest management

If your company applies pesticides for pest management purposes, make sure it holds a permit “Application in pest management” (subcategory C5 or D5).

If you apply pesticides for these purposes, make sure you hold a certificate for application in pest management (subcategory CD5) or work under the supervision of the holder of such a certificate.

If your company applies the following gases by fumigation in enclosed or confined spaces, make sure it holds a permit “Application by fumigation” (subcategory C6 or D6):

• methyl bromide
• carbon dioxide
• sulfuryl fluoride
• ethylene oxide
• phosphine

If you apply these pesticides by fumigation, make sure you hold a certificate for application by fumigation (subcategory CD6) or work under the supervision of the holder of such a certificate.

As a permit holder, you must keep and retain a register of your pesticide purchases and use. Depending on your permit, you may use this pesticide purchase and use register template – Category C permit (XLSX 78 Kb) (in French only) or this pesticide purchase and use register template – Category D permit (XLSX 53 Kb) (in French only).

For storage rules, see the Pesticide storage page. See the Applying commercial pesticides page for the general rules that must be followed when preparing and applying pesticides.

Also take the following precautions:

• Use only registered pesticides, in accordance with the instructions on the label;
• Ensure that no one except the individual that applies the pesticide is on-site or exposed to the pesticide;
• Comply with setback distances during the storage, preparation and application of pesticides (PDF 225 Kb).
• Comply with municipal regulations. See the dataset Municipalities in Québec (in French only) that regulate pesticide use.

Green space maintenance

For green space maintenance, take the following precautions:

• Prepare commercial pesticides (Classes 1, 2 and 3) in containment works, and do the same when loading and unloading them from application equipment;
• Make sure that pets are not exposed to pesticides;
• Do not contaminate any surface or object that is not to be treated;
• Make sure that all openings of a building are closed to prevent pesticides from infiltrating indoors;
• Do not apply the highest-risk pesticides on lawns, trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens, flowerbeds or inert materials. Check the trade names of prohibited pesticides (in French only);
• Do not apply a pesticide impregnated with a fertilizer or mixed with a fertilizer on lawns;
• Post a sign (PDF 258 Kb) (in French only) at all access points if the grounds are fenced or otherwise delimited (for example, by a hedge) after applying a pesticide on lawns, trees, shrubs or inert materials. If the grounds are not fenced or otherwise delimited, a sign must be posted every 20 metres or less around the perimeter;
• Keep a distance of 3 metres from the property line of a daycare centre or educational institution if the application is carried out during the period of activities taking place inside or outside the institution.

Golf course maintenance

For golf course maintenance, take the following precautions:

• Prepare commercial pesticides (Classes 1, 2 and 3) in containment works and do the same when loading and unloading them from application equipment;
• Maintain a mandatory distance of at least 3 metres from the boundary of the golf course or of any building used as a dwelling located on that property;
• Post signs (PDF 204 Kb) (in French only) at the registration desk and at the tee-off area of the treated holes;
• Keep a distance of 3 metres from the boundary of a daycare centre or an educational institution if the application is carried out while activities are taking place inside or outside the institution.
• Send the pesticide reduction plan to the ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs if you apply pesticides or have them applied. If no application is carried out, notify the Ministère by email.

The pesticide reduction plan must be signed by an agronomist and sent to plandereductiongolf@environnement.gouv.qc.ca before April 3 following the last season covered within the plan’s three-year period. For example, for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons, the plan must be sent before April 3, 2027. The Pesticide reduction plan for golf courses template (DOCX 645 Kb) (in French only) contains all required information.

The Summary of pesticide reduction plans for golf courses in Québec (PDF 2.65 Mb) (in French only) is drafted from the information contained in the pesticide reduction plans.

Indoor plant maintenance

For indoor plant maintenance, make sure you do not apply the highest-risk pesticides. Check the trade names of prohibited pesticides (in French only).

Pest management

If you apply a pesticide inside a building used as a dwelling for pest management purposes, take the following precautions:

• Do not apply the highest-risk pesticides. Check the trade names of prohibited pesticides (in French only);
• Inform the occupants concerned, after any application, by means of a written notice (PDF 185 Kb) (in French only);
• Use a pesticide in solid form to control rodents in traps that prevent any contact with a person or a non-target animal;
• Do not use a fogger if you carry out an aerosol treatment there, and post a sign (PDF 207 Kb) (in French only) at all access points at the start of the work;

If you apply a pesticide outdoors, take the following precautions:

• Prepare commercial pesticides (Classes 1, 2 and 3) in containment works, and do the same when loading and unloading them from application equipment;
• Make sure that pets are not exposed to pesticides;
• Do not contaminate any surface or object that is not to be treated;
• Make sure that all openings of a building are closed to prevent pesticides from infiltrating indoors;
• Post a sign (PDF 258 Kb) (in French only) at all access points if the grounds are fenced or otherwise delimited (for example, by a hedge) after applying a pesticide on lawns, trees, shrubs or inert materials. If the grounds are not fenced or otherwise delimited, a sign must be posted every 20 metres or less around the perimeter;
• Keep a mandatory distance of 3 metres from the boundary of a daycare centre or an educational institution if the application is carried out while activities are taking place inside or outside the institution.

Before carrying out fumigation in a confined area, make sure:

• that no one except the individual that applies the pesticide is on-site or exposed to the pesticide;
• that livestock or pets have been evacuated and are not exposed to pesticides;
• that all openings are sealed;
• that each entrance is closed off and that a sign (PDF 195 Kb) (in French only) prohibiting access is posted there.

Daycare centres and educational institutions

Only biopesticides and certain lower-risk pesticides are authorized inside or outside daycare centres and educational institutions. Check the trade names of the biopesticides (in French only) and the trade names of the pesticides that are authorized in these establishments (in French only).

For certain specific situations, you may apply other pesticides under certain conditions (in French only), including the following:

• Unless an exception applies, you must notify the administration of the establishment by means of a written notice at least 24 hours and at most 5 days before the application. If the written notice was given more than 48 hours in advance, you must notify the administration of your visit at least one hour beforehand.
• Regardless of the product used, you may not apply it during activity periods, whether they take place indoors or outdoors.
• You must ensure that a minimum interval of 12 or 24 hours is observed before services or activities resume in the treated location, depending on the pesticide applied or the establishment concerned, and a sufficient ventilation period may be required.

It is prohibited for the holder of a permit or certificate to possess a pesticide unless they hold a permit or certificate that allows its use.

To find out safe ways to dispose of these products, see the Pesticide waste page.

To obtain information easily and free of charge on the risks associated with pesticides registered in Québec, consult SAgE pesticides (in French only).

If you have been affected by pesticides, contact the Centre antipoison du Québec, at 1 800 463-5060 and follow the instructions you are given. If your condition is serious, go to the hospital and bring the label or the name and registration number of the product involved.

Health Canada collects pesticide incident reports.