Vegetation Management

Roadside mowing and weed spraying play an important role of road maintenance that controls noxious and invasive species to improve sightlines, sign visibility and roadside drainage.

The County of Bruce controls noxious weeds under Public Works Exception of the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban for the promotion of public health and safety. The spraying of the herbicides will be completed by a qualified contractor licensed by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change under requirements of the Pesticides Act. A public notice of the pesticides to be used will be advertised in the local papers and on the County website.

The County contracts the services of Green Stream and the Town of Saugeen Shores to spray guard rails and roadsides to control weeds and noxious weeds. Due to the size of the county, weed spraying is alternated yearly between the north and south portions of the county with Bruce Road 11 being the dividing line.

Roadside spraying for the north portion of County covers the following County Roads: BR 3 (Hwy 21 - Paisley), BR 13, BR 33, BR 40, BR 10, BR 17, BR 14, BR 8, BR 9, BR 5, BR 25, BR 20, BR 1, BR 11 and the Grey Bruce Line.

Roadside spraying for the south portion of the County covers the following County Roads: BR 1(BR 20-BR 86), BR 2, BR 3(Paisley-Mildmay), BR 4, BR 6, BR 6E, BR 7, BR 12, BR 15, BR 19, BR 20(BR 1-Hwy 9), BR 22, BR 23, BR 28, BR 30, BR 86.

Property landowners that do not want their unmaintained ditch along the county roadside sprayed can post “No Spray” signs at the start and finish of their property. These signs must be at least 30cm x 60cm (1 ft x 2 ft) and be easily read from the shoulder of the road. Only unmaintained ditches will be sprayed with herbicide, while maintained yards and ditches will not be sprayed. Signs must not restrict visibility of vehicles and are only permitted between the dates posted on the Public Notice for Pesticide Use.

Landowners within urban areas are advised to contact their local municipalities regarding noxious weed concerns. The County recommends using extreme caution in working with noxious weeds as many species can cause serious side effects to individuals.

Be aware of local municipal bylaws regarding Property Standards. These standards cover a variety of items including noxious weeds. Property Standards Bylaws are put in place to protect the health and safety of occupants and the public.

Regulation 1096 General Regulations on noxious weed removal

For more information on noxious weeds and best practices, please review the Useful Links tab below.

• 2025 Bruce County Spray Notice

   

See attached map for information on roadside spraying locations.

• 2025 Noxious Weeds Spraying Map
• 2025 Phragmites Spraying Map

• Wild Parsnip Best Management Practices
• Giant Hogweed Best Management Practices
• Buckthorn Best Management Practices
• Phragmites Best Management Practices
• Japanese Knotweed Best Management Practices
• Dog-strangling Vine Best Management Practices
• Garlic Mustard Best Management Practices

• Wild Chervil Best Management Practices

  Nature Conservancy of Canada invasive species control videos

• NCC- Controlling Invasive Dog- Strangling Vine
• NCC- Controlling Invasive Phragmites
• NCC - Controlling Invasive Garlic Mustard
• NCC - Controlling Invasive Common Buckthorn

For more information on invasive species and best practices, please visit the valuable resources below.

• Ontario Invasive Plant Council
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• EDDMapS Ontario
• Southern-Grow-Me-Instead (ontarioinvasiveplants.ca)