Tecumseh is taking some aggressive steps to deal with a growing rat problem.
Council has decided to explore a bait and trap program to kill the rodents and to toughen up the property standards bylaw to try and take away their food source and habitat.
Mayor Gary McNamara hard-sided garbage bins don't seem to be keeping the rats away.
McNamara says the town has received lots of complaints over the last two months.
"I think it's time the municipality becomes a bit more aggressive in terms of controlling the rodents because they're unhealthy. We've had pets that have been bitten," says McNamara.
A cost report and plan should come before council at their next meeting September 12.
McNamara says it's become a public and pet health issue and the town must take a more aggressive approach.
"Folks are encountering high vet bills, and we want to be a little more proactive and aggressive in dealing with it," the mayor says.
McNamara doesn't quite know how the problem got so big but believes construction may have displaced the rats and drove them to Tecumseh.
"It's not town wide, but it's certain pockets and areas. So, we're going to try and figure out why those pockets seem to be a preferred site for the critters," McNamara says.