Weed Control
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Overview
Discover Lennox & Addington County's commitment to managing noxious weeds, safeguarding ecological balance and public safety. Learn about our proactive efforts to promote a healthy environment and safeguard the well-being of our community.
To Residents and Property Owners Regarding Noxious Weeds
The County administers County-wide weed inspection for all properties and road allowances within the County through its Area Weed Inspector who enforces the regulations of The Weed Control Act. This Act only applies when the subject weeds are a threat to agriculture and are classified as noxious in the Act.
The purpose of the Weed Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, is to reduce the impact of noxious weeds on the industries of agriculture and horticulture. Primarily this act applies to agricultural and horticultural lands that generate income or other benefits to agriculture; this excludes lawns, gardens and private areas for personal enjoyment and leisure.
Under the Weed Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter W.5 Sections 3, 13, 16, and 18, you are requested to destroy all noxious weeds on your property. Failure to comply with the Weed Control Act may result in the municipality entering lands to have the weeds destroyed and costs may be recovered through tax billings as provided for in the Act.
Note also that in urban or suburban areas, Sections 3, 13, 16 and 18 do not apply to noxious weeds that are far enough away from any land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes that they do not interfere with that use.
Battling Weeds and Wild Parsnip: Inspection, Control and Pesticide Practices
Permitted Weeds
Dandelions, Burdock, Goldenrod and Purple Loosestrife are not considered noxious weeds under the Weed Control Act. Therefore, complaints concerning these weeds cannot be accepted. For a complete listing of noxious weeds as set out in the weed control act, please visit the details on the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs website.
Weed Inspection
The Weed Control Act was originally drafted by provincial legislators in the late 1800’s to achieve control of noxious weeds that interfere with land used for industries of agriculture and horticulture. By regulation, twenty-four (24) weeds in Ontario have been designated as noxious; their common names are listed below. With some exceptions, the Act requires that these weeds and weed seeds be destroyed by the landowner where they are found growing.
As required by the Act, the County has appointed an Area Weed Inspector to undertake the administration and enforcement of the Act. Under the Act, the Area Weed Inspector is empowered to search and inspect lands and issue written orders for the destruction of noxious weeds. The only exception to the requirement of issuing written orders is set out in Section 16 of the Act.
The Council of any city, town village or township may direct any of its municipal weed inspectors or, if there are none, the area weed inspectors to cause noxious weeds or weed seeds to be destroyed in the prescribed manner on all or part of any lot shown on a registered plan of subdivision and on lots not exceeding 10 acres that are not shown on such a plan. Before noxious weeds or weed seeds are destroyed, the council shall publish notice of its intent to have the noxious weeds or weed seeds destroyed in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality. Typically, the notice appears in local newspapers in early summer each year and requires that weeds be destroyed by July 15th of that year.
Penalties are provided for non-compliance. The schedule of charges for non-compliance is as follows:
- 1st offence: $500 to $2000
- Subsequent offences: $1,000 to $5,000
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the ministry responsible for provincial administration of the Act, interprets the intent of the Weed Control Act as follows:
- To reduce the infestation of noxious weeds that impact on the industries of agriculture and horticulture.
- To reduce plant diseases by eliminating plant disease hosts such as common barberry and European buckthorn.
- To reduce health hazards to livestock caused by poisonous plants.
In practical terms, this interpretation means that in most instances the Act will not be enforced in urban or suburban areas or where a commercial agricultural or horticultural operation is not likely to be affected by noxious weeds. Section 22 of the Act allows the Weed Inspector to exercise considerable judgement when enforcing the Act. It provides that noxious weeds or weed seeds that are far enough away from any land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes that they do not interfere with that use do not have to be destroyed.
- For a listing of noxious weeds as set out in the weed control act, visit Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs website.
- For further information and pictures on these and other Ontario Weeds visit Weed Identification Guide for Ontario Crops.
- Read the complete Weed Control Act here.
Wild Parsnip
Wild parsnip is an invasive plant native to Europe and Asia. It was likely brought to North America by European settlers, who grew it for its edible root. Since its introduction, wild parsnip has escaped from cultivated gardens and spread across the continent.
Wild parsnip, which is also known as poison parsnip, is a member of the carrot/parsley family. It typically grows a low, spindly rosette of leaves in the first year while the root develops. In the second year, it flowers on a tall stalk and then dies. The plant can form dense stands and spreads quickly in disturbed areas such as abandoned yards, waste dumps, meadows, open fields, roadsides and railway embankments. Its seeds are easily dispersed by wind and water and on mowing or other equipment.
Wild Parsnip produces sap containing chemicals that can cause human skin to react to sunlight, resulting in intense burns, rashes or blisters.
Pesticide Use for Roadside Weed Control
The County of Lennox & Addington and its Lower Tier Municipalities (Loyalist Township and the Township of Addington Highlands) have engaged the services of Wagar & Corput Weed Control Inc. for the application of herbicide to control vegetation at all guiderail locations and to control noxious weeds along the municipally owned right of ways. This pesticide use falls under the Public Works Exception of the Cosmetics Pesticides Ban for the promotion of public health or safety.
The following rural roadsides to be sprayed are:
- County of Lennox and Addington [See Map]
- County Road 1 East, County Road 1 West, County Road 2, County Road 3, County Road 4, County Road 4 West, County Road 5/Palace Road, County Road 6, County Road 7/Church Street, County Road 8, County Road 9/River Road, County Road 10/Deseronto Road, County Road 11, County Road 12, County Road 13, County Road 14, County Road 15, County Road 16, County Road 17, County Road 18, County Road 19, County Road 20, County Road 21, County Road 22, County Road 23/Taylor-Kidd Boulevard, County Road 24/Coronation Boulevard, County Road 25, County Road 26/Jim Snow Drive, County Road 27, County Road 28/Millhaven Road, County Road 41
- Loyalist [See Map]
- Absalom Road, Big Creek Road, Brandon Road, Caton Road, Chatterson Road, Chipmunk Ridge Road, Clark Road, Doyle Road, Empey Road, Fairbanks Street, Fisk Road, Florida Road, Fralick Road, Fred Brown Road, Gift Road, Golf Course Road, Ham Road, Hegadorn Road, Howes Road, Irish Road, Love Road, Lucas Road, Maple Road, McConnell Road, Mcintyre Road, Newburgh Road, Old Wilton Road, Peters Road, Rees Road, Rose Road, Scotland Road, Shane Street, Sharpe Road, Simmons Road, Switzerville Road, Thorpe Road, Vent Road, Violet Road, Wilson Road, Wing Road, Withers Road
- Greater Napanee (See Map)
- Abrams Road, Apsley Street, Armstrongs Lane, Asselstine Road, Bathurst Street, Bayview Drive, Beechwood Road, Benn’s Point Road, Brady Road, Bridge Street West, Brown Sideroad, Buttermilk Falls Road, Chambers Road, Champlain Street, Cheese Factory Road, Community Road, Cooks Road, Deseronto Road, Drive-In Road West, Fitchett Road, Fretts Lane, Frisk Road, Galt Street, Gerow Road, Glennelm Road, Goodyear Road, Hambly Road, Hemling Lane, Herrington Lane, Hickory Lane, Homestead Road, Huyck Street, Johnsons Sideroad, Kimmett’s Sideroad, Little Creek Road, Lorna Lane, Manion Road, McKnight’s Sideroad, Meach Road, Northfork Road, O’Connell Sideroad, Oke Road, Old Boat Ramp Road, Old Hamburg Road, Oliver Sideroad, Perry Road, Pine Grove Road, Pleasant Drive, Pringles Sideroad, Ridge Road, Road 1, Ruuth’s Lane, Salmon River Road, Sherman’s Point Road, Shorey Road, Smith Road, South Shore Road, Staples Lane, Storey Street, Switzerville Road, Third Concession Road, Townline Road, United Street, Vanluven Road, Wellington Street, Woodcock Street
- The Town of Greater Napanee uses Munger Horticultural Vinegar Plus for sidewalk weed control. The active ingredient is acetic acid (vinegar), which is on the Ministry of the Environment’s Allowable List for cosmetic uses due to its low risk to people, pets, and the environment. The product is safe once dry.
- The following local roadsides to be sprayed are (See Map):
• Dundas St; Alma St to Adelphi St
• Camden Rd; Bridge St to Industrial Blvd
• Bridge St; Alma to York St
• Mill St; Centre St to East St
• TD Parking lot off Mill St
• Belleville Rd; Marilyn Ave to Bridge St
• West St; Graham St to Dundas St
• Robert St; Graham St to Dundas St
• Centre St; Palace Rd to Advance Ave
• John St; Isabella St to Mill St
• East St; Isabella St to Mill St
• North and South side of Market Sq
• Around Public Works Fence 8321 County Rd 2
• Selby Shop 1599 County Rd 41
For Roadside Spraying the following pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) will be used:
- Clearview Herbicide (Reg. #29752), containing the active ingredient Aminopyralid, (present as potassium salt), and Metsulfuron-methyl;
- Gateway Adjuvant (Reg. #31470), containing the active ingredients Paraffinic Oil, and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants.
For Guide Rail Spraying the following pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) will be used:
- Clearview Herbicide (Reg. #29752), containing the active ingredients Aminopyralid, (present as potassium salt), and Metsulfuron-methyl;,
- Gateway Adjuvant (Reg. #31470), containing the active ingredients Paraffinic Oil, and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants;
- Credit Xtreme Herbicide (Reg. #29888), containing the active ingredient Glyphosate, (present as isopropylamine and potassium salt);
- ARSENAL Powerline Herbicide (Reg. #30203), containing the active ingredient Imazapyr, (present as the isopropylamine salt).
Commencing on May 19, 2025 (weather permitting) to October 31, 2025. The following areas will NOT be sprayed:
- Roadside areas are mowed and maintained as lawn by property owners;
- Minimum 10 metre buffer from surface water and freshwater habitat;
- Locations requested not to be sprayed by adjacent landowners.
If landowners do not want the road allowance in front of their property to be sprayed they must register their request and post “No Spraying” signs at the start and finish of their property. Registration forms are available at the County of Lennox & Addington offices and will require the landowner to enter into an agreement to manage all noxious weeds on the subject frontage.
For further information contact (collect calls will be accepted):
- Wagar & Corput Weed Control Inc. (613) 938-2117 or
- The County of Lennox & Addington (613) 354-4883
Additional Pesticide Use for Roadside Weed Control
The County of Lennox & Addington and its Lower Tier Municipalities (Township of Addington Highlands, Town of Greater Napanee, Loyalist Township and Township of Stone Mills) have engaged the services of Wagar & Corput Weed Control Inc. for the selective application and spot spraying of herbicide to control vegetation at all guiderail locations, and to control noxious weeds along the municipally owned right of ways. This pesticide use falls under Public Works Exception of the Cosmetics Pesticides Ban for the promotion of public health or safety.
Localized persistent areas of noxious weeds on the following rural roadsides to be sprayed are:
County of Lennox and Addington:
County Road 1 East, County Road 1 West, County Road 2, County Road 3, County Road 4, County Road 4 West, County Road 5/Palace Road, County Road 6, County Road 7/Church Street, County Road 8, County Road 9/River Road, County Road 10/Deseronto Road, County Road 11, County Road 12, County Road 13, County Road 14, County Road 15, County Road 16, County Road 17, County Road 18, County Road 19, County Road 20, County Road 21, County Road 22, County Road 23/Taylor-Kidd Boulevard, County Road 24/Coronation Boulevard, County Road 25, County Road 26/Jim Snow Drive, County Road 27, County Road 28/Millhaven Road, County Road 41
For Rural Roadside Spraying the following pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) will be used:
- ClearView Herbicide (Reg. #29752), containing the active ingredients Aminopyralid, (present as potassium salt), and Metsulfuron-methyl;
- Gateway Adjuvant (Reg. #31470), containing the active ingredients Paraffinic Oil, and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants.
For Rural Guiderail Spraying the following pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) will be used:
- ClearView Herbicide (Reg. #29752), containing the active ingredients Aminopyralid, (present as potassium salt), and Metsulfuron-methyl;
- Gateway Adjuvant (Reg. #31470), containing the active ingredients Paraffinic Oil, and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants;
- Credit Xtreme Herbicide (Reg. #29888), containing the active ingredient Glyphosate, (present as isopropylamine and potassium salt);
- ARSENAL Powerline Herbicide (Reg. #30203), containing the active ingredient Imazapyr, (present as the isopropylamine salt).
Commencing on July 21, 2025 (weather permitting) to August 21, 2025.
The following areas will NOT be sprayed:
- Roadside areas mowed and maintained as a lawn by property owners.
- Minimum 10 metre buffer from surface water and freshwater habitat.
- Locations requested not to be sprayed by adjacent landowners.
If landowners do not want the road allowance in front of their property to be sprayed they must register their request and post “No Spraying” signs at the start and finish of their property. Registration forms are available at the County of Lennox & Addington offices and will require the landowner to enter into an agreement to manage all noxious weeds on the subject frontage.
For further information contact (collect calls will be accepted):
Wagar & Corput Weed Control Inc. 613-938-2117 or
The County of Lennox & Addington 613-354-4883
Weed Control Act
The Weed Control Act in Lennox and Addington empowers the county to effectively manage and control noxious weeds, fostering a safer and more ecologically balanced environment for residents and the community.
- Read the complete Weed Control Act
- 2026 Noxious Weed Control Program maps for Lennox and Addington, Loyalist Township and the Town of Greater Napanee
Learn more about weed identification, management strategies and herbicide recommendations.
Pollinator Protection Areas
In 2022, the County launched a roadside restoration project in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation to create and restore breeding and feeding habitats for Monarch Butterflies and other pollinators along the local stretch of specified County roads. The Canadian Wildlife Federation is building a network of rights-of-way managers across Ontario committed to establishing similar roadside habitats to help restore our declining pollinator populations.
It’s a simple way to turn roadside spaces into vibrant habitats for our most precious wildlife species. Visit Pollinators in Action to find out more about pollinators and how you can help pollinators in your own yard!
Pollinator Areas across the County
Pollinator Health
FAQs
What is the focus of Lennox & Addington's weed control program?
The program targets noxious weeds to maintain ecological balance and public safety.
Can residents report problematic weed growth?
Yes, residents can report areas where noxious weed growth is a concern within the County of Right-of-Ways.
What methods are used for weed control in Lennox & Addington?
The county uses various methods, including manual removal, chemical treatments, and ecological management practices, following environmental guidelines.
Are there any restrictions on chemical treatments for weed control?
Yes, the use of chemicals is regulated, and the County adheres to environmental safety standards to minimize impact.
How can residents contribute to weed control efforts?
Residents can help by managing weeds on their property, participating in community clean-up efforts, and staying informed about weed control practices.
