City committee recommends bringing back ‘Giant Destroyer’ for ground squirrel control program this year

The city will resume ground squirrel population control in 2025.

The City of Winnipeg is proposing the return of a sulfur gas compound pesticide known as “Giant Destroyer” to control ground squirrel populations in parks and sports fields.

“The Public Service cannot delay managing populations at these sites,” the report reads. “Ground squirrels have since caused a lot of damage.”

A community services committee agenda released Thursday said holes left behind by the rodents are a safety concern and recommends work resume on ground squirrel control after a brief pause last year.

The use of an anti-coagulant poison administered by a third party was suspended in 2014 due to safety concerns about the impact on dogs and birds of prey.

The “Giant Destroyer”—a” pesticide that releases sulfur gas compounds into burrows—was used while other methods were being researched.

A group of local residents expressed concerns with that method as well in April 2015 and in July, two carbon monoxide applications were implemented.

However, carbon monoxide methods were paused in 2024 after safety concerns for employees operating the units emerged.

“While carbon monoxide is an effective treatment, the machines to generate carbon monoxide are either ineffective or unsafe for staff to use,” the report reads.

The report recommends using Giant Destroyer in 2025 while research into new carbon monoxide treatments takes place.

The committee listed several fields as high priority for ground squirrel management, including Charleswood Place, Theodore Niitzhotay Fontaine Park, Fairgrove Bay Park, Shaughnessy Park, Weston Memorial Community Centre, St. James Memorial Sports Park, Beryl Watts Park and Vince Leah Community Centre.

The report will be discussed when the committee meets March 5.