For many Winnipeg homeowners, keeping a lush, weed-free lawn is a priority—but if you have a pet, you might be wondering if common lawn treatments are safe. At Yardona Property Maintenance, we understand the concerns pet owners have about fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Let’s break down what’s really happening with these treatments and how they affect your furry friends.

The Truth About Fertilizer Safety

Fertilizer is often mistaken as a risk to pets, especially when granules remain visible after application. However, fertilizers pose zero risk to pets. The granules you see are primarily nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—nutrients that already exist in nature and even within the food pets consume. As long as your pet isn’t consuming excessive amounts directly from the bag, fertilizers are completely safe.

Herbicides and Pets: What You Need to Know

Herbicides, which are used to control weeds, are formulated to stick to plants and soil once they dry. This significantly reduces the risk of your pet picking up the chemicals after the application. However, trace amounts may still be present, meaning there is some level of exposure even if you follow standard re-entry guidelines. The good news? These amounts are incredibly small, often measured in micrograms, making the risk of any long-term impact extremely low.

How Safe Are Insecticides?

Most insecticides used in lawn care are safe for mammals. However, there are a couple of notable exceptions:

• Trichlorfon (curative grub killer): This insecticide poses a higher risk to mammals and insects alike. While exposure in diluted amounts is still minimal, it’s one to be cautious about.

• Imidacloprid (grub preventative): Similar to trichlorfon, this treatment carries some risk, but when applied at proper rates, it is still considered safe.

• Chlorantraniliprole (grub preventative): This is a safer alternative to imidacloprid and trichlorfon, but still not 100% risk-free.

Fungicides: A Grey Area

While official guidelines state that fungicides are safe once dry, some experts disagree. The concern isn’t about immediate toxicity but rather long-term exposure. However, because pets don’t live long enough to develop chronic conditions like cancer from routine fungicide exposure, most lawn care professionals still classify them as safe when used correctly.

Final Thoughts: Should You Be Concerned?

The reality is that lawn treatments are applied in incredibly diluted amounts—often just a pound of active ingredient per acre (43,560 square feet). This means that even if your pet comes into contact with treated grass, the exposure level is so low that it poses little to no biological risk.

At Yardona Property Maintenance, we prioritize both effective weed control and pet safety. If you’re looking for a lawn care program that balances both, we offer customized weed control and fertilization services for Winnipeg homeowners.

Click here to get a quote for pet-conscious lawn care today!