CENTRE WELLINGTON – Termite troubles may soon be a thing of the past.
Township council unanimously approved a motion Monday authorizing staff to negotiate an agreement with a pest management firm to provide fall nematode treatment, public education and provision of fall yard wood waste bins for a one-year term, at an cost of up to $200,000.
The township previously retained a termite expert to figure out how many properties were impacted by an ongoing termite issue in the municipality, leading the way for Monday’s motion.
In Elora and Fergus, termites were detected or inferred at 259 properties which they called the “red zone”, and there were a further 219 properties in the “blue zone” perimeter of these properties where termite activity could easily transfer.
The report stated the focus of the treatment program would be spring and fall nematode treatments with no other method of control considered. Nematode treatment is a natural pest control method that uses microscopic, threadlike roundworms which infect and kill termites.
A request for proposals was issued, with two responses received, explained Randy Bossence, chief building official.
Ahead of Monday’s vote, Coun. Kirk McElwain asked what would happen if property owners in red zones refused treatment, to which Bossence noted the township’s termite bylaw allows for treatments to be ordered when participation isn’t voluntary. The cost of that, he added, would be borne by the property owner and now included in the township’s effort.
Coun. Bob Foster asked how people can sign up for the program.
Bossence explained the contractor is to reach out to property owners and all they have to do is agree to take part.
