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of refuse. Refuse may afford harbourage or food supply for the rat
and proofing work is required where there is a possibility of rats gaining
access to property.
The greatest difficulties are met with in the older areas of the
Borough, for here are old buildings which do not lend themselves
readily to the work of rat proofing; these have been harbourage of rats
for many years. Below the surface are many old drains, long disused.
These are more or less impossible to trace and they afford runs and
harbourage to colonies of rats.
The task of tracing the source of infestation in cases of this
description present many difficulties but steady progress is being made
and maintained.
The premises on the river frontage are well safeguarded, the
occupiers taking all possible precautions against infestation for their
own protection.
During the two weeks previous to Rat Week, inspections were
made in various areas in the Borough where rat infestation was most
apparent, with a view to ascertaining the actual source of infestation.
Wherever possible, occupiers were interviewed and nearly 100
letters were sent to occupiers of premises upon whom the responsibility
of clearing the premises of rats rested.
This letter also pointed out the advisability and necessity of
concerted action on the part of all concerned.
Seventeen notices under the Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919,
were served upon occupiers whose premises were, in our opinion, a
source of infestation to the neighbourhood.
Advice was given as to the best methods of rat proofing, and lists
giving the names of rat poisons, where obtainable and the methods of
using the same, were distributed.
Any accumulations of refuse likely to give harbourage to rats were
removed and steps taken to prevent any similar accumulation in the
future.
The banks of the Rivers Ravensbourne and Quaggy within the
Borough boundary were cleared of all bushes and undergrowth in order
to destroy any harbourage for rats. The river banks in question are
now inspected daily and traps and snares set. As many as 37 rats in
one week have been caught at this place.