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46
by the re-appointment of the Senior Public Health Inspector, Mr
F. E. Walsh, as Chairman of the Area Committee.
The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food has a Rodent
Control Research Division which keeps Local Authorities advised of new
techniques and poisons On the advice of this Research Division,
during the past year we have used a new poison sodium fluoracetate
for sewer treatment Results so far appear to indicate that a
reduction of the rat population in the sewers has followed, as there
are fewer surface infestations following these treatments. It is
proposed in 1961 to carry out four treatments of the sewers using
sodium fluoracetate, with a test baiting, without any poison, between
the third and fourth treatments This should give an indication of
the efficacy of this new weapon.
Most cases of infestations of rats in dwellings in Fulham are
traceable to defects in the drainage system, thus allowing rats from
the sewers to enter the houses. In such cases the owner is called
upon to repair the drainage system and further infestation is thus
prevented.
The total number of complaints received from residential business
and industrial premises was the same as in 1959 i.e. 669.
The following table shows the number of inspections made and
treatments carried out in respect of rats and mice separately since
1950. As regards dwelling houses there has been little change in
the incidence of rat infestation but there has been a considerable
reduction in the number of complaints of mice.
As regards business and industrial premises, there again is little
significant change in the rat problem whilst the mouse infestations
have increased markedly This may be due to the increased consumption
of food in work and business premises, e g during tea breaks as any
crumbs or scraps left about will encourage mice.