Windsor's Rodent Control Program is on the chopping block when city council deliberates the 2020 budget.
Speaking on AM800's the Dan MacDonald Show, Manager of Environmental Services Anne-Marie Albidone says administration is not recommending that the program be axed, but it is an option for council.
"It is a nice program to have, but it is not mandatory," she says.
The current program is set to expire at the end of March and costs about $44,000 a year to operate.
In 2019, 1,617 property owners took advantage of the program, which is down from 2018 — but up compared to 2015.
"When you think of the number of homes in the city of Windsor, there are 94,000 homes in the city of Windsor so if only 1,600 are using the program, that's less than two percent of the homes that are using the program," says Albidone.
The program offers property owners baiting service and four treatments if they suspect a rat is living on their property.
Ultimately, Albidone says it will be up to council.
"It is not something that administration is recommending be eliminated, but we do have to let council know about these options," she says. "They have a lot of competing priorities and we are one of the few municipalities in Ontario that offer a program like this."
She points out a mild winter can also help to increase the rat population.
Council will go over the budget January 27th.