View report page

57
RODENT CONTROL
General.—During the year the Rodent Control scheme, as
approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has
been continued.
A total of 3,674 investigations were made, 536 of which were
the result of notifications and 3,138 carried out during survey under
the Act. The monthly average of complaints from occupiers,
coupled with infestations found as a result of routine investigation,
was 50 compared with 46 last year. In all, 537 treatments were
carried out and infestation was found to exist at 418 dwelling houses
and 108 at miscellaneous premises and places of business. Reinfestation
occurred in 75 instances. There were 5 major infestations at
dwelling houses and 8 at other properties caused by the common
rat.
Occupiers of business premises and also householders readily
report any known or suspected infestation, and the value of routine
investigation made in these properties is emphasised by the fact
that it is rare to find occupiers tolerating infestation after being made
aware of the service available under the Rodent Control scheme.
Following the policy of tracing the source of infestation in each
case, 39 defective drainage systems were discovered. Intimation
Notices were served under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
and the drainage defects made good by the owners of the properties.
Bombed sites and dumps were test-baited, resulting in 9 infestations
being found and treated.
Periodic treatments were carried out at 6 industrial premises
and 2 hospitals.
Calls were made on the services of the Borough Engineer's staff
to enter sewers during colour-tests or in the tracing of disused drains
and also to the lifting of paving to locate sources of infestation ;
these services were readily available.
The Rodent Control personnel have performed their duties with
diligence throughout the year and have given the Department good
service.