Changes to the registration of carbaryl pesticides

All pesticides used in Canada must be registered under the Pest Control Products Act. Pesticides are re-evaluated to ensure that they continue to meet health and environmental requirements. Re-evaluation may result in the revocation of a product or product uses. Health Canada may also request changes to a product's label, including mitigation measures, use sites and application methods.

Carbaryl is an insecticide used on feed crops, industrial oil seed and fibre crops, livestock, greenhouse tobacco seedlings, companion animals, structures, forestry, food crops, turf, lawns and ornamentals. Highlights of the re-evaluation decision of the active ingredient carbaryl, published on March 31, 2016, are summarized below.

Cancelled products, as of March 31, 2019

• Stop using domestic-class products
• Stop using products in the form of wettable powder:
  • From now on, these formulations must be offered in water-soluble packaging.

The sale of these products is prohibited as of March 31, 2018.

Label changes for carbaryl pesticides, as of March 31, 2018

Cancelled uses

Stop using on the following crops:

• alfalfa
• apple, except for thinning
• apricot
• barley
• broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• cherries
• clover
• field corn
• grapes
• hand-harvested snapbeans
• kale
• oats
• peach
• pears
• peppers
• plums
• prunes
• rye
• strawberries
• sweet corn
• sweet white lupins
• wheat

Stop the following uses:

• Control of spruce budworm on balsam fir trees, spruce trees, farm woodlots, municipal parks and rights-of-way
• All residential uses, including lawns, ornamental plants or shrubs, vegetable gardens and fruit trees and application of bran baits
• Use inside buildings such as residences and establishments where food or animal food is handled, greenhouses, barns and livestock areas
• Application on turf, including lawns, sod farms and golf courses
• Application on livestock

Other risk reduction measures

• Reduction of maximum application rates
• Updated number of maximum applications per season and intervals between applications
• Updated personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
• Closed cabin equipped with a filter preventing any contact between the occupant and pesticides required for most uses
• Closed system required for loading and mixing when using liquids
• Updated restricted-entry intervals (REI)
• Updated buffer zones
• Symptoms and treatment for over-exposure:
  • Malaise
  • Headache
  • Muscular weakness
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Anyone who has symptoms of over-exposure to carbaryl should consult a health care practitioner.

Users must follow the instructions on the updated labels.

Using a pesticide contrary to the label directions is a violation of the Pest Control Products Act.

Read the label

All pesticides registered in Canada have a Health Canada-approved label with a registration number. Read the pesticide label carefully, as it contains specific information on how to use it.

To find the most up-to-date label, use our online label search tool, or search for "Health Canada pesticide labels" using your favourite search engine.

For more information

Re-evaluation decision RVD2016-02, Carbaryl. The Health Canada-approved label is the official document for enforcement purposes. In the event of any discrepancy with the contents of this factsheet, the information on the label shall prevail.

Health Canada's Pesticide Compliance Program (PCP) is responsible for the enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act.