An IPM would promote plant health through pest prevention, applying pesticides only when necessary and using products that reduce the risk to human health, said Garry Durnan, the supervisor, parks and open spaces.

"I believe we have a strong plant health care program already in Town," he said during a recent meeting of Ajax council's general government committee. "If you have a dandelion, you don't spray the whole field. You spray the dandelion."

Last year, the Province announced it was moving on a ban of pesticides. The intent of Bill 64 is to prohibit the use and sale of pesticides that may be used for cosmetic purposes.

Having an IPM would support the intent of Bill 64, Mr. Durnan said.

The IPM would be part of the Town's plant health care program, which has six aspects -- education, monitoring, development of standards and limits, cultural controls, mechanical controls, and chemical controls.

The use of pesticides is used as a last resort, Mr. Durnan said.

"Last year was the first time that I'm aware of we did any spraying at all on Town turf," he said, adding the spraying was done on Harwood Avenue boulevards.

All guidelines are followed and the public would be notified before spraying is done, he said.

"We don't do it year in and year out. We go in at the optimum time and knock it down."

Ward 4 local Councillor Pat Brown said if someone sees a "sea of dandelions" in the spring, "I'm not saying we will use pesticides, but we have a program to control them."

Corn gluton is an organic pest control alternative to pesticides, he said.