City funding cutback blocked termite solution: researcher

Toronto’s termite problem could be a thing of the past, if only the city would listen to him, said Dr. Tim Myles, the city’s authoritative voice on the topic.

Myles, who was raised in the Annex, has been researching termite infestations and possible solutions ever since the city created his position back in the 90s, when it was collecting data on the wood-eating insects. Now, the city has washed its hands of the problem, stopping its grant program for homeowners and cutting off Myles’ funding in 2000, leaving the termite situation in the hands of a few select businesses. Years of research are going to waste, said Myles, who conducted his research through the University of Toronto’s Urban Entomology Program.

“At least 40,000 houses have termites forging on the property,” he said. “Now I have to go back to the people who created my position and convince them there’s an issue.”

In his time researching the topic, Myles said he’s come up with the ideal solution to the problem. He believes his trap, treat and release method can completely eradicate termites in an entire city block with a lot less insecticide than the current method of extermination.

“All you have to use is one tablespoon (of insecticide) compared to 500 gallons per home being used now,” he said, adding they’re using the treatment in parts of the United States. “This is a research breakthrough.”

The main problem has been getting his method approved in Canada, a process that takes a lot of money and corporate backing and marketing.

Myles’ results are “encouraging,” said Arnie Rose, manager of the city’s housing improvement program, and agreed that his method could have a significant impact on the city’s termite population.

“The next step for the project would be commercialization but it can cost a lot of money,” he said. “The city is not prepared to do that. It’s more of a commercial enterprise.”

Dick Murphy, who owns Aetna Pest Control, one of a very few companies that specialize in termite extermination, said he’s heard of Myles’ project but that there’s little he can consider until it’s regulated by the government for use.

“The problem is that the pesticide he’s selected for use is no longer available; it’s been removed from the market in the U.S.,” he said. “That puts him behind square one.”

Even more problematic for an extermination company is getting everyone’s cooperation.

“You’d have to have the whole block’s approval and get them organized to be able to do the work,” he said. “Between pets, kids and working hours, it’s going to be very difficult. I’ve been here for 35 years, I have a feel for what works.”

No matter what his feelings are on the topic, Myles said it’s time for the city to step up and take responsibility for his research, which cost about $600,000 of taxpayers’ money plus several more thousands in private funding.

“I want the city to ask what’s the whole history here, what’s going on and what’s the magnitude of this compared to other things we’re giving money to,” said Myles. “It hasn’t come to that yet.”