Invasive Plants

Invasive Plants in the District of Kent

Invasive plants are non-native plants that spread quickly through new areas, crowding out native plants and causing damage. Invasive plants cause billions of dollars in damages worldwide every year. They can reduce land for crop growth and reduce overall species diversity. They can also damage property and reduce property values. Under the BC Weed Control Act every landowner must control plants from the BC Noxious Weeds list on their land. Here are a few of the invasive plants found in the District of Kent, and some tips for keeping your property natural.

Invasive Plant Reporting

The District is asking for the communities help to identify invasive plants and to work towards their containment and potentially their elimination. Please report all invasive plants in the District of Kent, by using the Report Invasive Plant form.

Municipal Grass and Garden Maintenance

To keep our community’s green spaces beautiful and healthy, the District’s Parks Department will perform weed and vegetation control in various locations throughout the spring and summer months. This treatment includes spraying herbicides on municipal grass, trails, garden beds and boulevards. All pesticide products in Canada are regulated by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada (PMRA) (Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management.html.) PMRA’s mandate is to prevent unacceptable risk to people and the environment from the use of any pesticide. The PMRA conducts extensive reviews to make sure that a product containing pesticides meets the latest health and safety standards and that it works as claimed.

The application of herbicides and pesticides in BC is regulated by the Ministry of Environment under the Integrated Pest Management Program (Link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/pesticides-pest-management/pesticide-use/regulations-consultations.) This program requires the District to apply for an annual pesticide application permit, report on the pesticides used each year and requires certified applicators to apply herbicide products.

Weather Conditions

Ideal weather conditions for herbicide treatment include low wind speed and little to no precipitation within the 24 hour forecast. Licensed applicators in the parks department will ensure ideal weather conditions are present prior to preparing for a herbicide treatment in the designated area.

Treatment Signage

Herbicide application signs will be posted for a 48 hour period, indicating the area that the application will be sprayed, the date and time and the type of product being used. For your safety, please follow all posted information at all times.