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Destruction of rats in Council's sewers
For many years, destruction of rats in sewers has been carried
out on a systematic basis twice a year (April and September). In 1963,
this method was discontinued and the Council adopted a system of continuous
baiting of the sewers using a new acute poison, fluoracetamide. A
new Morris 12 cwt. van was purchased and adapted for use, and the Borough
Engineer arranged for a sewerman to be seconded more or less permanently
to this work.
The new system of treatment of the sewers throughout the
borough commenced in May, 1963, and by the end of the year four treatments
had been carried out.
Baits are laid at access points throughout the sewers, of which
there are ninety-three miles in the borough. These points comprise side
entrances connected by galleries to the sewers and ventilating shafts
immediately over the sewers. There are over 1,600 of these baiting
points, but it is never possible to bait all the points at one treatment
owing to road repairs and the presence of parked vehicles.
The last treatment included the laying of non-poison test bait.
Observations were made to ascertain the number of points where there was
still evidence of a rat infestation, however small. The results which
have been obtained show a remarkable decrease in the rat population of
the sewers. In addition, the Council's sewermen and contractors' staff
engaged on the repair of sewers have commented on the decrease in the
number of rats seen in the sewers. There has also been a marked decrease
in the number of complaints of rats received in the department from
householders.

The results which have been obtained are highly encouraging and
the Council have decided to continue with this method of treating the
sewers.
The rodent staff deal with infestations from pests other than
rats and mice, and the following is a summary of all action taken during
the years-