Pilot Rat Abatement Program for Residential Properties (Pilot Program)
The Town of Tecumseh’s (Town) Pilot Rat Abatement Program for Residential Properties (Pilot Program) proposes to offer a rebate, up to 50% of $360, to residential property owners to assist with the cost of utilizing a licensed pest control company to assist with removing rats from outside their residential property. Any additional costs of the services performed or any ongoing rat control services beyond the rebate amount is the sole responsibility of the property owner.
In accordance with the Town’s Purchasing Policy No. 17, the Town is following an Informal Request for Proposal process to contract an extermination company for rodent abatement at a fixed rate per property.
The Town is proposing the following rat abatement process, but is seeking the expert opinion of the Pest Control Company for recommended abatement measures.
Please note: On the February 27 Council meeting, Council decided to discontinue this program once the current funds run out, or on December 31, 2024 (whatever comes first).
Process to Obtain Rebate
- The appointed pest control company will submit a report to the Town periodically, outlining the work/measures undertaken and the results of their efforts at each respective property, together with the fees charged to, and collected from, the property owner.
- The property owner is responsible for remitting evidence to the Town detailing that the pest control company has been paid in full.
- Subject to identifying rat burrows and/or evidence of rat activity, the pest control technician would lay regulated bait station blocks in strategic locations on the property, conduct follow-up inspections and remove the bait stations at the end of the contract timeframe.
- It would be expected that the technician would advise the homeowner, as well as the Town, on rat control prevention based on their observations of the property such as removal of food sources, standing water, clutter that provides a living space for the rats, etc. The property owner would need to ensure all preventative measures are undertaken in order to participate in the Pilot Program.
- To initiate rebate assistance, the property owner must first complete and submit electronically, on the Town’s website, a Residential Rat Control Rebate Program Intake Form identifying the location of rat sightings on the property and suspected origin of the rat(s). Following which, the appointed licensed pest control company would attend the property to inspect where the rats are originating from and other notable attributing concerns. Should the pest control technician find property standards concerns attributing to rats, By-Law Enforcement will be apprised for appropriate action(s).
- The Town will pay the applicable rebate directly to the property owner following receipt of required reporting from both the property owner and pest control company.
The Town’s Pilot Program is for the balance of 2022, or until the funding allocation is exhausted, whichever comes first. Funding in the amount of $10,000 in property owner rebates has been approved in the Town’s 2022 annual operating budget. Only one rebate up to 50% of $360 per property will be accepted in the 2022 calendar year.