Year Round Solutions to Defend Against Unwanted Pests

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD)’s Nature Works educational program will be highlighting some fall season lawn care maintenance that will support a strong, healthy lawn without the use of harsh chemicals at some special events this month. 

“Nature Works” is an education and awareness program that encourages the use of pesticide alternatives by people in municipalities with pesticide bylaws, and by others who simply want to know more about creating pesticide-free lawns and gardens. 

For the next three Saturdays, the CVRD’s Nature Works program will provide some educational sessions at the following locations:

A healthy lawn and garden is your best defense against many types of pests. In the fall, monitor insect damage when the lawn greens up from the fall rain - the damaged areas will remain brown. A good solution is to aerate and add a top dress of finely screened compost; this will allow for proper drainage and root development. 

Over-seeding can also be done in late summer or early fall, though it is generally done in the spring, our warm and generally wet fall weather gives grass the ideal start it needs. In your gardens, mulching leaves and grass clippings can also protect your plants over the winter and provide habitat for beneficial insects and help retain moisture and nutrients in the soil.    

“If you’re bringing your plants inside this fall and are worried about bringing unwanted pests into the house as well, consider simple natural and cost effective alternatives, like Neem Oil, rather than chemical sprays and store-bought pesticides,” said Shannon Pickering, CVRD’s Nature Works educator. 

For more information on pesticide alternatives, municipal bylaws and helpful tips, including a downloadable natural lawn care seasonal guide, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/pesticidealternatives .

The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.