Changes to the registration of abamectin 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.

Abamectin is an acaricide/insecticide used on a wide range of outdoor field-grown fruit and vegetable crops, outdoor ornamentals, and greenhouse vegetables and ornamentals. It is also used for indoor or outdoor structures to control cockroaches and ants. Highlights of the re-evaluation decision regarding agricultural and horticultural uses of the active ingredient abamectin, published on July 31, 2025, are summarized below.

Changes to the label of abamectin pesticides, as of July 31, 2027

Risk reduction measures

• Update to the required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Limit on the maximum cumulative application rate/ha/year for outdoor uses
• Update to the restricted-entry intervals (REI)
• Update to the pre-harvest intervals (PHI)
• Update of buffer zones
• Restrictions on application periods based on crop type and recommendations to reduce bee exposure
• Mandatory construction and maintenance of a vegetative filter strip
• Statements regarding risks to bees, beneficial arthropods, birds, small wild mammals, and aquatic organisms
• Prohibition of the following application methods:
  • Handheld airblast/mistblower
  • Aerial application
• Greenhouse use:
  • Avoid application in the presence of bees or beneficial arthropods
  • Addition of the statement: "DO NOT allow releases, effluent or runoff from greenhouses containing this product to enter lakes, streams, ponds or other waters."

Read and follow 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 the Health Canada online label search tool, or search for "Health Canada pesticide labels" using your favourite search engine.

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.

For more information

Re-evaluation decision RVD2025-04, Abamectin and its associated end-use products. 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.

Protecting pollinators during pesticide spraying - Best management practices

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