Pest and Mosquito Control FAQ's

• What pests are targeted?

  Noxious weeds, plant-damaging insects and common plant diseases.

• Where does pest treatment occur?

  Only on City-owned land within municipal boundaries.

• What kind of mosquito control is used?

  The operations use a granular larvicide called Aquabac 200g (registration number 26863), which contains Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti), a Health Canada-approved product that targets only mosquito larvae. 

• Where does mosquito treatment occur?

  Control efforts focus on temporary standing water locations that support the development of mosquito larvae and are limited to areas within the designated Mosquito Control Boundary. 

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  Residents in areas scheduled for treatment are notified in advance and provided with information about the operation. Those with concerns are encouraged to contact AccessGP by calling 311.

• Are pest control products safe?

  All products used are registered with Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency and are approved for these purposes. Residents with concerns are encouraged to contact AccessGP by calling 311.

• Who can I contact if I have concerns?

  Residents with concerns can contact AccessGP by dialling 311 or emailing info@cityofgp.com.

Noxious Weed Control in Grande Prairie: How the City is Taking Action

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• Doing Our Part Together

  The City of Grande Prairie is committed to managing noxious and prohibited noxious weeds as part of our ongoing environmental stewardship. These invasive plants can pose serious risks to local ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity. To effectively control these weeds, the City employs two targeted programs that operate throughout the growing season until the first frost.

  •  Program 1: Mechanically Managed Areas
    In areas where mowing and other regular maintenance occur, we use broadleaf spot-spraying techniques. This means we target only specific noxious and prohibited noxious weeds listed under the Alberta Weed Act, preserving other plant life in the area.
  • Program 2: Naturalized and Non-Mechanically Managed Areas
    For areas that are not mowed or mechanically controlled—such as naturalization zones—we rely on chemical control. Approved herbicides are applied in a targeted manner, focusing only on noxious weeds. Due to environmental safety standards, each site receives just one chemical application per growing season.

  Maintaining a healthy environment is a shared responsibility. The City works to control weeds on public lands and asks residents to help by managing noxious weeds on their properties. Together, we can help prevent the spread of invasive species and protect our community’s green spaces.

• Noxious and Prohibited Noxious weeds to watch for

  • Common Baby’s Breath
  • Bighead Knapweed
  • Perennial Sow Thistle
  • Yellow Clematis
  • Dame’s Rocket
  • Creeping Bellflower
  • Purple Loosestrife
  • Canada Thistle
  • Yellow Toadflax
  • Great Burdock
  • Oxeye Daisy
  • Scentless Chamomile
  • Common Tansy

  Learn more about all the Noxious and Prohibited Noxious weeds by visiting the Directory of Common Legislated Weeds.

• Weed Complaints and Control

  Every year, the City of Grande Prairie receives hundreds of complaints of weed infestations, from dandelions to tansy. Weed inspectors are appointed by Council to ensure legislated prohibited noxious and noxious weeds are destroyed or controlled. If a plant is non-legislated (such as dandelions), then the City bears no responsibility to ensure its control.

  Complaints received about legislated weeds are handled in a specific series of steps, outlined below:

  1. Each complaint is assigned to a weed inspector to handle. They visit the area to conduct a thorough inspection. Under the Weed Control Act, inspectors are allowed to enter private land, without owner permission or knowledge, at any reasonable hour to conduct inspections. Location, species and growth stage of the weed are all documented in a weed report, which is kept on file permanently.
  2. The inspector will then contact the property owner to discuss control options and decide a date by which control must be completed.
  3. If the property owner fails to voluntarily control the weeds on their land by the date specified, the weed inspector will contact them again to discuss their reasons for non-compliance. Since herbicide applications can only be conducted safely during specific weather conditions, wind, rain, and high/low temperatures and humidity often delay weed control.
  4. If the weed inspector is not satisfied with the property owner's reasons for non-compliance, they may then issue a weed notice. Weed notices are legal documents under the Weed Control Act, and clearly outline the weed species and its designation, its location, acceptable control options and a date of completion.
  5. If the property owner fails to comply with the weed notice, the municipality will conduct weed control as outlined on the notice (either themselves or through a contractor) and bill all charges back to the property owner. Any outstanding charges are applied to the tax roll of the property.

  If you wish to report noxious or prohibited noxious weeds, please contact Parks Operations directly.

• Understanding the Process

   After treatment, it can take days or even weeks for weeds to show visible signs of desiccation. During this period, the herbicide is being absorbed into the plants' root systems, ensuring the weeds are eliminated at the source and do not return the following season. For this reason, it’s essential not to disturb the treated plants, allowing the process to work effectively.

• How to Report Areas of Concern

  If you notice areas of public land that require attention or treatment, please let us know. You can report them through AccessGP by dialing 311 or emailing info@cityofgp.com or through this webform. 

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