Changes to the registration of dichlorvos pesticides

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Organization: Health Canada

ISBN: 978-0-660-71785-2

Published: 2024-06-03

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.

Dichlorvos is an organophosphate insecticide used on greenhouse crops and in indoor and outdoor structural sites such as processing plants, and entertainment venues, as well as to control mosquitoes. Highlights of the re-evaluation decision for the active ingredient dichlorvos, published on August 20, 2020, are summarized below.

Cancelled product, as of August 20, 2023

  • Stop use of DDVP 20% (Reg. No. 23915)

The sale of this product is prohibited as of August 20, 2022.

Label changes for dichlorvos pesticides, as of August 20, 2022

Cancelled uses

Stop use on the following crops:

  • Mushroom beds
  • Greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes
  • Greenhouse-grown ornamentals (except potted ornamentals)

Stop use on the following sites or modes of application:

  • Outdoor mosquito control
  • Residential outdoor living areas
  • Use of insecticide strips inside any structure (building) that is occupied within 4 months of application
  • Spray application in many indoor and outdoor areas
  • Fogging application in dairies, piggeries and stables

Other risk reduction measures

For all indoor uses:

  • Applicators must post and provide an information leaflet to occupants of treated premises

For fogging applications:

  • Indoor use only
  • New product classification: Restricted use
  • Use by pest control specialists only
  • Use with automatic application equipment only
  • Requirements for complete ventilation of premises before occupants return
  • New 4-day restricted-entry interval (REI)
  • Added personal protective equipment (PPE) requirement and daily exposure restrictions for users

Insecticide strips (for indoor use):

  • New classification: Commercial use
  • Use by pest control specialists only
  • Use only in empty structures (buildings) that remain unoccupied for at least 4 months

Insect pheromone strips (outdoor use only):

  • Addition to the required personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • New restrictions on use

All products:

  • Environmental warning to indicate that dichlorvos is toxic to aquatic organisms

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 RVD2020-08, Dichlorvos 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.

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

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