Rat control rebate program extended in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon
Published March 24, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Residents dealing with rat infestations in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon are being given more time to apply for the Region’s Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program.
Launched in March 2021, the pilot project was originally a 12-month program and offered residents a rebate on pet control services up to 50 per cent or $200.
Region staff recommended on Thursday that the pilot be transitioned into an education and outreach program due to lack of participation, but council has instead decided to extend the program until the end of the year.
The Region of Peel budgeted $225,000 for residential rebates, with an estimated 1,125 residents expected to cash in the rebates across Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
But the Region found program uptake to be much lower than expected with just 319 residents applying for the program, accounting for just 28 per cent of the expected uptake.
While part of the program focused on preventing rats from breeding at watermain construction sites, Mississauga Coun. Pat Saito said residential construction areas are also a breeding ground for vermin and she has been fielding complaints about rats from residents.
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“We’re getting a lot of infill in Mississauga right now, and at those construction sites I’m getting a lot of complaints about rats coming off those private construction sites and getting into the residents that are abuting those sites.”
Saito urged the Region to make “a huge, huge push on communication” to inform residents of their options as spring approaches, and staff have been directed to expand community engagement in an attempt to reach a wider audience.
While Region staff wasn’t able to identify “hot spots,” Mississauga’s Ward 8 saw the most residents apply for the program at just 30 applications. Brampton’s Ward 6 trailed behind at 29 applications, while Mississauga’s Ward 10 had 26.
Businesses, institutions, apartments, and apartment-style condominiums are not eligible for the subsidy program.
For more information on how to deal with rats and rodents or to apply for the rebate program visit PeelRegion.ca.
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