I’ve been asked recently about a termite map of Toronto and Area. 
There is such a thing as a Termite Map. Quite some time ago the City of Toronto kept records of all termite activity and treatments BUT THAT MAP IS OUT OF DATE and the City of Toronto is no longer involved in Termite Treatments. You can no longer rely on that map as Termites have spread and continue to do so. The Privacy Act and Company Privacy Policies prevent any updating or private corporation of building one for distribution.
As I’ve discussed in my previous posting on Termites (Learn More about Termites in Southern Ontario Here) The Termites have spread mostly North and West of Toronto from the Beaches but can be found in Scarborough, York, North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Thornhill, Markham, Newmarket, Pickering, Whitby and Oshawa.
Any person or company who publishes a Termite Map may be afraid of being sued as the value of any home located within the Termite Area would be affected regardless of actions taken by the homeowner. Also what would happen if they did not publish an area that in fact did have termites. Instead of looking for a map, the best advice that I can give is: If you are concerned call a local Termite Inspector and ask them. The Privacy Act in conjunction with Company Privacy Policies prohibits them from giving out specific information (such as which houses have been treated) but they can give you some useful information over the phone, including if they have done work in your “area”.
It is a shame but ,for example, imagine you live in a really old townhouse, if a Termite Inspector came out and treated your neighbours home, it is possible that the treatment could simply drive the termites to your attached property. The inspector would not be allowed to tell you that your ATTACHED neighbour had termites and that they needed to be treated and YOU SHOULD TOO unless the neighbour gave his written permission!
If you need a Toronto and Area Inspection and Remediation company, I recommend Aetna Pest Control (416-469-4111). They have been in the business a long time and I feel they are honest. They helped train me and other Home Inspectors on what to look for when checking for Termites (though I would never call myself a termite inspector). There are other companies out there but I do not have enough experience with them to pass any judgment. If I think I see signs of termite activity, I call Aetna.
Pingback: Toronto Termite Infestation Map (via Toronto 416er) | stevensilva.ca
Could you please direct me to the section of the Privacy Act that relates to commercial inspection companies providing third party information, specifically to Termite Inspection companies and or inspectors from prohibiting the disclosure of specific information (such as which houses have been treated)in the Toronto area.
Any personal knowledge of the legal responsibility on the seller of a property after a home has been sold, and termite infestation discovered by the purchaser once walls have been removed and exposed during renovation.
I would recommend you visit the site: http://www.priv.gc.ca/ for specific information regarding the Privacy Act. I am not a lawyer. What I write is based upon my experience and what I’ve learned from people I’ve worked with. You may even discover that the Privacy Act does not specifically prohibit the releasing of the information. That won’t change the fact that most inspection companies use that as their first reason for not providing the information.
I’ve revised my the post to say Privacy Act and Privacy Policy. As it may might be more the company policy more than the actual act which prevents them from releasing the information. The bottom line though is that I am not aware of any inspection company providing information to third parties without permission from their clients.
My point is that, Termite Inspections are important and should be done as part of due diligence in areas known to have termites. At a minimum, a call should be placed to a termite company to find out what they are willing to say regarding that area.
People looking for a termite map are missing the point. Toronto Has Termites and they are spreading. If you buy a home you need to pay taxes. Consider a termite inspection another “tax”.
Hope this helps.
AETNA came to my home and did do a remarkable job for us and we did have termites but no longer. They were very polite and did not leave any mess. I recommend them to anyone that feels they have termites.