Agenda Item: 8 (d)
Prepared By: Joseph Parrilli, Fleet & Facilities Manager
Business: Presentation
Department: Fleet and Facilities
Subject:
Title
Presentation - City of Marco Island Pest Control and Rodent Exclusion Services Summary - City Facilities and Parks- Joseph Parrilli, Fleet & Facilities Manager
Body
BACKGROUND:
This presentation outlines the City's current pest control and rodent exclusion services across City-owned facilities, along with recommendations for potential adjustments to the rodent exclusion program to improve environmental outcomes and cost efficiency.
The Good Bites program has been discontinued due to a significant rat infestation at Mackle Park. In response, City staff have elected to implement a one-year trial of the Nature's Defense product at Mackle Park. Nature's Defense is an environmentally safe deterrent designed to discourage rodents, nuisance birds, and iguanas. Unless otherwise noted, all rodent exclusion methods referenced below involve the use of rodenticide.
Other Pest and Wildlife Control
With respect to requests for the City to trap or exterminate pests or wildlife on non-City-owned property, the City's longstanding practice is to encourage residents to retain a licensed exterminator or trapper. Prior to FY2024, the City contracted with an iguana trapper at an annual cost of approximately $20,000. Residents would contact City Hall to have their addresses added to a service list, and the trapper would provide services until the allocated funds were exhausted. Each year, this approach resulted in resident frustration, as available funding was insufficient to address all requests.
During the FY2024 budget process, City staff recommended eliminating this program and instead directing residents to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website, which maintains a list of licensed trappers. City Council approved this recommendation, and staff communicated to the public that pest issues on private...
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