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58
RODENT CONTROL
General.—During the year the Rodent Control scheme, as approved
by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, lias been continued.
A total of 2,556 investigations were made and infestations were
found to exist at 530 premises, 24 factories and warehouses, 19 shops,
4 hospitals and 8 bombed sites. There were 12 major infestations,
7 of them caused by the common rat and 5 by the ship rat.
Periodical treatments were carried out in each of these infestations
which were all in large industrial premises. Throughout; the year
thers were 15 instances only of re-infestation after treatment, 2
attributed to rats and 13 to mice.
The monthly average of complaints received was 43 as
compared with 46 last year.
In 48 instances rat infestation was found to be due to defective
drainage; all of these defects were repaired after service of Intimation
Notices.
Block treatments were carried out in 22 small areas involving
363 premises.
Bombed sites and dumps have been test-baited but in only 3
instances was it found necessary to carry out treatment.
Frequent calls have been made on the services of the Borough
Engineer's staff to open up paving to trace the source of infestation
and this service has been readily available.
The premises of Messrs. Robinson's Mills, Deptford Bridge,
have been receiving continuous treatment throughout the year and
over 1,021 rats have been recovered from traps used inside the
premises. Baiting and poisoning methods also have been used on
open sites nearby and the infestation has been kept under control
by these means. It is suspected that new colonies of rats invade
the property from the lighters and barges which are constantly
discharging cargoes at the wharves.
The Blue Cross Kennels, Shooter's Hill Read, were given 3
treatments with excellent results and "Warfarin" was used on
one occasion. A small section of old wooden kennels still remains
and until this is replaced by brick-built kennels with concrete
runs, re-infestation is always possible.
Owners and occupiers still continue to take advantage of the
rodent control service which has resulted in the early notification
of the presence of rats. Only rarely are rats discovered during
routine investigation.