Residential rat control subsidy pilot program

The Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program aims to help residents pay for improving rat issues on the exterior of their residential properties. Interior issues are not eligible for subsidy.

Step 1: Prevention

If you’ve found evidence of rats on the exterior of your home, refer to the tips on rat prevention.

Ensure the exterior of your property is maintained and free from junk piles, overgrown vegetation, pet waste, bird feeders, and compost piles. Make sure that your garbage is stored and set out properly.

Rats seek out places to live that provide them with everything they need to survive, such as food, water, shelter, and safe ways for them to get around.

Step 2: Eligibility

The subsidy does not cover any other pest control services or rat control items such as rat traps or baits bought from retail stores.

Businesses, apartments, and apartment-style condominiums are not eligible for this program. For more information, please refer to our Rat prevention guide – Industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) facilities.

Apply for the subsidy if you meet all of these requirements:

• Your exterior property is free from contributing factors such as junk piles, overgrown vegetation, pet waste, bird feeders, compost piles.
• You have used a Region of Peel approved pest control vendor for rat control services for the exterior of your residential property.
• You have a rat control service invoice (from a Region of Peel approved pest control vendor) dated between March 22, 2021 and December 31, 2023.
• Your property is in the Region of Peel (Brampton, Caledon, or Mississauga).
• Your property is a free-hold single-family residential, detached, semi-detached, duplex, or triplex residential home.
• You’re the registered owner or occupant of the residential property identified in the application.
• You’ll allow a Regional representative to visit the exterior of your property to verify information on the application.

Review the full Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program Terms and Conditions.

Step 3: Download the application form

• Print or download the application form and complete all fields.
• When you submit your application, be sure to attach or include all invoices and documents for rat control services along with the Inspection Checklist and Treatment Plan form you received from the Region-approved pest control vendor dated between March 22, 2020 and December 31, 2023. Some exceptions may apply.
• Please keep a copy of all documentation for your records.

Download application form

Step 4: Email or mail documents

Option 1: Email

If you email your application documents, your application must include a scanned copy or photo of the following:

• The completed application form
• Invoices
• The inspection checklist and the treatment plan form received from the Region of Peel approved pest control vendor

Apply by email.

Option 2: Mail

If you mail your application documents, your application must include a copy of the following:

• Printed completed application form
• Invoices
• Inspection checklist and treatment plan form received from the Region of Peel approved pest control vendor

Mail to:

Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program
2 Copper Road
Brampton, ON
L6T 4W5

Step 5: Application form review

• The Region of Peel will review your application based on the program requirements and Terms and Conditions.
• If your application is approved, you will receive a cheque by mail to the address identified on the application.
• The Region of Peel has the right to deny an application that does not meet the program requirements. If your application is denied, a Region of Peel representative will contact you.

Listed in alphabetical order:

Service	Phone number	Email address
E-Safe Pest Control INC	905-791-0612	info@esafepestcontrol.ca
Metro King Pest Control INC	416-241-7378	info@metrokingpc.ca
Professional PCO Service INC	416-901-8408	info@propco.ca

When contacting the approved vendors, please indicate that you intend to apply for the Rat Control Subsidy.

We have pre-screened and selected Region of Peel-approved pest control vendors to provide fair pricing and quality control for residents when dealing with any rat infestations on the exterior of their property.

The Peel approved pest control vendors are available for servicing within 24 hours of the request for service.

If you want to hire a pest control vendor that is not on our approved pest control vendor list, you will not be eligible to receive the Region’s Residential Rat Control subsidy.

How does the program work?

The program will help residential property owners who have a rat infestation on the exterior of their home. The program provides a 50% subsidy of the total costs up to a maximum of $200 per calendar year, per residential address.

If a resident spends more than $400 in the calendar year, they will receive the maximum subsidy amount of $200. If they spend anything less than $400, they will receive 50% of the cost of what was spent.

Eligible residents can submit invoices outlining rat control treatment by a Region of Peel approved pest control vendor, rat control inspection checklist and treatment plan form provided by the vendor from March 22, 2021 to December 31, 2023.

The subsidy date will be based on the date purchased or the date of service and not the date the application was submitted.

Refer to the How to Apply section for program requirements and instructions.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible, you must own or live in a single-family residential, detached, semi-detached, duplex, or triplex residential home in Brampton, Mississauga, or Caledon.

Why are condominiums or multi-residential properties not eligible?

Condos

Condominiums are not eligible because, under the Ontario Condominium Act, condominium boards have a legal responsibility to maintain their property.

If you experience a rat issue at your condominium property, Peel Public Health recommends that you notify your condominium board and property management.

Multi-residential housing (MRH)

Multi-residential rental properties are not eligible due to the provincial Residential Tenancies Act.

Under the Act, it is the landlord’s responsibility to maintain rental properties. This means taking action to control pests (like rats) as well complying with existing property standards, related to health, safety, housing and maintenance, under municipal by-laws or provincial maintenance standards.

If you’re experiencing a rat issue at your multi-residential rental property, Peel Public Health recommends that you notify your property management.

Please refer to Rat prevention guide - Multi-Residential properties that provides preventative measures and techniques to prevent rats on multi-residential properties.

Download and print a rat prevention poster for your property.

Why are commercial property owners not eligible?

Commercial, institutional, and industrial property owners are not eligible because Health Canada regulates these properties. If you identify a rat infestation at a business, contact Peel Public Health. A public health inspector will provide education and where appropriate, can enforce the applicable legislation.

Visit Health Canada for more information on pest control.

Please refer to the Rat prevention guide – Industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) facilities that provides preventative measures and techniques to prevent rats on businesses and commercial properties.

Why does the subsidy program not apply for interior rat treatments?

The IPM approach supports treatment on the exterior of the property as effective for addressing the types of rats that are typically found in Peel. Residents should seal any holes or cracks into the house to prevent rats from entering from the exterior.

Why is a verification visit required by Regional staff?

Verification visits are required to ensure the information from the Inspection Checklist and Treatment Plan Form that the vendor provided is accurate. Regional staff are checking for quality assurance from the vendor’s treatment service as well as contributing factors (if they exist) that will cause rat sightings to continue.

Why do I need to remove contributing factors from my yard to be approved?

Rats seek out places to live that provide them with everything they need to survive, such as food, water, shelter and safe ways for them to get around. If contributing factors such as having junk piles, overgrown vegetation, pet waste, bird feeders, compost piles, etc., are not addressed, rats sightings will continue. By eliminating contributing factors (if they exist) it makes life more difficult for rats.

What happens after I submit my application?

The Region will review the application. If the application is approved, a subsidy cheque will be mailed to the applicant. If an application is denied, a Regional representative will contact the applicant to explain why.

How long before I receive my subsidy?

From the time an application is received by the Region of Peel, the applicant may receive their subsidy within 4-6 weeks, provided the application is eligible, completed correctly, and no additional information is required. The Region of Peel cannot guarantee Canada Post delays.

What do I do if there are rats on my neighbour’s property?

Share these tips for dealing with and preventing rats on your property, such as removing food sources and areas where rats may reproduce.

If necessary, refer the property to the local area municipality property standards or bylaw.

• Property Standards team is responsible for the enforcement of private property offences, in order to ensure residents, maintain their property.
• City of Brampton | Enforcement and By-law Services | Property Standards
• Property standards – City of Mississauga
• Clean Yards and Property Standards - Town of Caledon

Is property damage included in the subsidy program?

The Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program does not include the cost for any property damage possibly caused by rats or any other pests.

Residents are encouraged to review how to keep rats off your property.

Why is the subsidy not available for controlling other animals like opossums, skunks, mice, or racoons?

Through Regional Council, the Region has responded to specific community concerns about rat populations by developing a one-year pilot program. Other pests are not part of the Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program, and the Region does not currently provide pest control services for private properties.

Local municipalities address complaints related to wildlife (such as racoons, skunks and possums), if there is no health aspect in the complaint.

If you have an injured or dead animal your property, call Animal Services for more information.

• In Brampton or Mississauga call 3-1-1
• In Caledon call 905-584-2272

Why am I seeing rats?

Rats are attracted to animal food, pet waste, bird seed or fruits and vegetables in yards. These food sources can cause a more active rat population in neighbourhoods in Peel.

Some rats may have temporarily relocated from commercial to residential neighbourhoods due to COVID-19 and previous lockdown measures that disrupted their normal food sources.

The rodent population isn’t considered a health concern in Peel, and data suggests there is no current link to any illness or disease.

How can I provide feedback?

Email us to provide your comments and feedback.

All Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program participants will also have the opportunity to participate in feedback surveys.

Can I get sick from cleaning up rat droppings?

Yes.

Always clean up rat droppings properly.

The risk of disease from dried rodent feces is very low in Canada, but disturbing dried rat feces may cause pathogens to go into the air and enter the body via airways.

How do I dispose of dead rats?

When disposing of a dead rat:

• Never touch the rat with your bare hands. Wear disposable gloves and use a shovel or plastic bag to pick it up.
• Put the dead rat and any used gloves or bags inside 2 plastic bags (double bag). Put this bag in your garbage bin.
• Disinfect any tools that might have come into contact with the rat.
• Wash your hands after disposing of the dead rat.

Are rats dangerous?

Though the risk of transmission in Peel is low, rats can spread ticks, fleas and diseases.

Rats can contaminate food with hair, droppings, and urine. They can damage property by gnawing on electrical wires or by chewing insulation, siding, and wallboard.

What happens if I get bitten by a rat?

If a rat feels threatened it might bite you. Clean and disinfect the bite area right away and contact a medical professional immediately.

How do I use rat baits and traps?

• If you use rat baits or traps, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Place rat bait in areas where children or pets can’t reach it.
• Store rat baits and traps in their original containers with the label and instructions. Keep the container away from children, pets, and wildlife. Store the pesticide in a locked cabinet if there are children in the house and dispose of it with care.
• Rat traps and baits purchased at retail stores will not be eligible for a subsidy. Only treatment services provided by Region of Peel approved pest control vendor are eligible.
• In most cases hiring an approved pest control vendor is recommended.

How can I tell the difference between rats and mice?

• Rats are much bigger than mice.
• Rats have blunt face and larger heads and feet.
• Mice have large floppy ears, while rats have smaller pinned-back ears.
• Rat tails are often hairless and shorter than their bodies. Mouse tails are often longer than their bodies.