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Rodent Control.
The following is a summary of the work of the Rodent
Control Staff during the years 1950, 1951 and 1952 : —
1950
1951
1952
No. of complaints received ... ...
1,546
1,383
1,383
No. of inspections ... ... ...
3,533
2,709
2,802
21,473
No. of operators' calls ... ...
17,554
20,257
1,427
No. of private premises baited ...
1,573
1,484
281
No. of business premises baited ...
176
216
49,898
No. of pre-baits laid ... ... ...
38,644
39,884
16,959
No. of poison baits laid ... ...
22,194
23,886
It is encouraging to note that during 1952 it was not
necessary for so many poison baits to be laid following prebaiting.
This indicates that the unceasing war which is being
waged against rats is taking effect and provides evidence of the
efficiency of the present system of rodent control.
In thirty-four instances where persistent infestations were
encountered the drains of the premises were tested and positive
results were obtained in twenty cases.
Systematic block treatment of sewers was carried out weekly
throughout the year and in the months of June and December
the customary half-yearly baiting of all sewer manholes and side
entrances took place.
Three hundred and fifty-eight packets of poison mice baits
(totalling 1,432 baits) were supplied by the Public Health
Department to the occupiers of 156 dwelling houses which were
infested with mice.
The following is a reproduction of the annual return which
was forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in
respect of the year 1952 : —