CENTER WELLINGTON – Tackling the termite problems at Center Wellington is going to be a bigger task than an expert hoped.
Tim Myles, an entomologist and termite expert, told the community committee all week that he was surprised at how extensive the problem is when all the properties were added up.
Last summer and fall, Myles and his company explored areas in Elora and Fergus that were previously known to have termite activity.
Myles said this included a five-minute home inspection to check stumps, firewood and wood chips for evidence of termite activity.
Definitive activity has been noted in 150 homes, but Myles’ method of eradication involves a block-wide approach.
This means that properties are treated that are adjacent to or between those with confirmed activity and those that surround them.
Hence, Myles said the number of properties involved was approaching 500.
A similar project in Elmira involved around 120 properties.
Using the same cost data, he estimated that using his services would cost the city $ 1 million over five years. He said he was confident that his technique could nearly eliminate the problem.
However, he wasn’t even sure he could take on this project alongside his work in Guelph and Elmira.
“I think it’s too much for me to indent without preparing for a second career,” Myles told the committee. “The extent is five times as big as I had hoped it would be.”
The committee made no decision on future action, but council members wondered where this leaves them behind.
Coun. Ian MacRae asked if he could train others on his technique so they could take on this project.
Myles said he would not “hold someone’s hand and teach” them, but his system is known and could be implemented by others.
“If you’re in business, I’m sure you know other people who do similar things … could you provide us with a list of other people who do this?” Coun. Neil Dunsmore asked. “What kind of guidance would you give our employees if we took this upon ourselves?”
Myles said he could give a list, but stressed that there is no one doing what he is doing in addition to his experience as a researcher.
Dunsmore asked for clarification on whether he would do it in any way if the community paid for services.
Myles replied that this year would not be too difficult to start due to previous commitments.
“What we could do, if we get into it, is priority stump removal and indoor inspections,” Myles said, but added that they wouldn’t be able to receive chemical treatments or traps until next year.
At the request of Coun. Bob Foster on ways for residents to limit the spread of termites, and Myles said they should practice logging in the garden.
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This means that wood chip mulch, stumps and other dead pieces of wood are removed.
Mayor Kelly Linton said more discussion was needed on how to proceed, but it was good to have a solid base of facts.
The committee of the whole accepted the report as information.
