CENTRE WELLINGTON – After years of discussion and planning, on Oct. 15 Centre Wellington council approved a subsidy plan for homeowners with termites.
And as soon as the township signs agreements with Orkin Canada Pest Control and Aetna Pest Control, residents can start applying.
The companies are using a product called Sentricon, which has good reviews and was only recently approved for use in Canada.
Orkin and Aetna, the only approved vendors in the province, will be responsible for communication with homeowners and will assist the township with disseminating information about dealing with termites.
The agreement will be backdated to July 1, so anyone who had this specific treatment from either of the approved vendors since that date would qualify.
All properties in the red and blue zones as identified in 2020/21 survey maps, as well as other properties in the township with active termites, are eligible for the subsidy. An estimated 500 properties are affected.
The subsidy pays 85 per cent of the initial treatment cost to a maximum of $2,500. The homeowner must then pay the balance plus an annual subscription with the company for five years for follow-up maintenance and monitoring.
There is an additional subsidy of $28 dollars available to offset the cost of a burn permit should a homeowner need to burn termite-infested wood. The subsidy only applies to external treatment. Homeowners with termites inside their home are on their own.
A report to council states that so far, only single-detached homes seem to be affected, save for a couple of retail stores in Fergus and Elora. No multi-unit dwellings are in the zones.
The township will take care of its own properties, including trails, right-of-ways and parks, on the advice of the vendors.
To date $1.39 million is set aside for the program.
“We know this is a community problem,” said Mayor Shawn Watters as council unanimously approved the plan.
“We need high awareness and education in terms of moving wood on property.
“The way this will be successful is to take us up on the program,” he added, directing his comments to the public. “With cooperation, we will substantially reduce the termite problem.”
