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58
RODENT CONTROL - The Prevention of Damage by Peats Apt, 1949
There has been little variation in the number of investigations
of infestations or the campaigns carried out for the destruction of both
rats and mice as compared with the previous year,, In the case of rats
a lesser number of infestations were traceable to defective drains and
particularly frontage drains than previously, no doubt due to the many drains
reconstructed during recent years. However, the policy continues of testing
all frontage drains when infestations occur on the lowest floor of the
building. There was an increase of rat infestations to empty or part empty
buildings invariably due to the evaporation of the water seal of sanitary
fittings on drainage systems not provided with an intercepting trap. In a
number of such premises not likely to be re-occupied in the near future the
fittings have been more securely sealed by the use of heavy oil to avoid the
risk of evaporation.
For the second year the sewers were treated by direct poisoning with
Fluoracetamide. The four treatments were carried out with the assistance
of sewermen from the Borough Engineer's Department and each of the 480 access
points were successfully treated during each campaign. This may appear to
be a far-reaching statement, but Chelsea is fortunate in having all baitable
manholes located centrally on the highway and a few side entries on the
footway, resulting in freedom from obstruction by parked vehicles, etc.
During 1962 it was not possible to check on the takes from test baits
owing to trouble from snow and ice, but this year the check was made and from
the careful observations recorded it is clear that a considerable reduction
of rat population has been achieved, indicating this method as an advance on
methods adopted prior to 1962.
Details of work carried out by the Rodent Officers during the
year. 1963.
1. Treatment of Business and Private Business Private
Premises (Rats and Mice) Premises Premises
Number of visits 384 2,409
Number of infestations found 26 203
Number of treatments undertaken 23 193
Number of pre-baits laid 1,967
Number of poison baits laid 585
Number of complaints received 245
2. Sewer Maintenance Treatments (Rats) No. of poison Poison
baits laid used
No. 1 Treatment 480 Fluoracetamide
No. 2 Treatment 480 Fluoracetamide
No. 3 Treatment 480 Fluoracetamide
No. of test
baits laid
No. 4 Treatment - Test baiting with sausage rusk 480