Changes to the registration of tetrachlorvinphos 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 risk mitigation measures, use sites and application methods.

Tetrachlorvinphos is an insecticide used in poultry houses and livestock buildings and against fleas and ticks on domestic animals. The highlights of the re-evaluation decision for the active ingredient tetrachlorvinphos, published on March 3, 2021, are summarized below.

Domestic products against fleas and ticks on pets

Cancelled product, as of March 3, 2024

Stop use of the following products containing tetrachlorvinphos:

• All flea and tick powder/dust products for pets and their bedding
• All flea and tick collar products for pets

The sale of cancelled products is prohibited since March 3, 2023.

The import of unregistered pesticides is prohibited.

Label changes for liquid trigger spray products against fleas and ticks, as of March 3, 2023

• Added statement: "Do not apply to furniture, mattresses, linens, pet bedding, toys or clothing."
• Additional details to the use instructions, depending on the animal and its weight
• Additional details on poisoning symptoms in the toxicological information section

Commercial products

Cancelled uses, as of March 3, 2023

Stop dust application using a rotary or mechanical duster to poultry house flooring to control lice, mites and lesser mealworms

Other risk reduction measures

For products used in poultry houses and livestock buildings:

• Prohibition of use in residential area (indoor and outdoor)
• Added details to the use instructions
• Ventilation of the treated areas required
• Limits to the quantity of product handled per day
• Additions to the personal protective equipment (PPE) required, depending on the activity and type of application
• Added prohibitions including:
  • "Do not apply this product using a fogger or handheld mistblower"
  • "Do not apply this product as space spray"
• Added details of poisoning symptoms and treatment options in the toxicological information section

Users must follow the instructions on the updated labels.

Using a pesticide contrary with 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.