Toronto Community Housing

Integrated Pest Management

Program

The Goal of this Integrated Pest Management Strategy is to reduce infestations and re-infestations that have such a serious impact on our residents lives, while keeping costs under control

KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITYThe landlord:•Is responsible for pest management throughout the building•Must make every effort to control pests and prevent spread

The tenant:•Must keep their unit clean (as set out in the Residential Tenancies

Act and municipal health and safety requirements)•Must allow the landlord to conduct inspections•Must report infestations promptly•Must prepare unit for treatment•Must co-operate and all a landlord to complete treatments as

required

KNOW THE ENEMY

COCKROACHES

BED BUGS

Bed Bugs: How big is the issue?

What the experts say:

• 25 million Americans in 2011• Most difficult to control• Preparation is the key• 20% annual growth• Growth of 30% in GTA• Will continue to grow• No silver Bullet

Bed bugs: Elements of a treatment

1. Inspect/Assess2. Identify3. Protect Others (Block Inspections/Treatments)4. Preparation5. Treatment6. Follow Up

PREPARATION IS THE KEY!!!

PREVENTION AND MONITORING

WHAT TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE

BLOCK INSPECTIONS/TREATMENTS

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SOURCE

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TREATMENTSA peek at how it works

BARRIERS TO TREATMENT• Lack of Preparation of Unit• Clutter • Hoarding• Physical Challenges • Mental Health Issues• Access to Unit• Lack of Compliance by Tenant• Misinformed tenant/landlord

SUPPORTING VULNERABLE TENANTS• 9000 Tenants living with serious mental

illness• 26,000 Seniors• Lack the capacity to prepare for treatments• Limited Resources (financially and in

services) to support the necessary preparation work

• Impacts others due to delayed responses while supporting a tenant

PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

IPM MODEL

• Data collection and analysis• Education and co-operation of all

stakeholders• Prevention• Preparation for treatment• Best Practices• On-going process• Responsible use of pesticides

PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

• A new RFP for pest control providers that includes increased vendor accountability

• Centralized approach to managing Pest Vendors

• Clear defined roles, responsibilities, specifications, vendor warranty and comprehensive quality assurance program

• Methods to better track infestations in our communities

• Creating a environment that will better support our vulnerable tenants who have been challenged by infestation

PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY • Engaging tenants who are already active in their communities

around this issue(eg: Tenant Pest Control Committee)

• Standardizing of unit preparation documents and introduction of visual aids to overcome language barriers.

• Quality assurance follow-up

• Working with the city to share best practices and improve collaboration between different divisions.

• Ongoing education of staff and tenants

PROJECTED OUTCOMES

• Stabilize/reduce infestation rates portfolio wide.

• Ability to better track, monitor and report on success

• Reduce the impact on vulnerable tenants• Stabilize costs related to pest management

Contact Information

Deborah Simon 416-981- 4355Chief Operating Officer deborah.simon@torontohousing.ca

Richard Grotsch 416-981-4054 Manager, Integrated Pest Management richard.grotsch@torontohousing.ca