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60
RODENT CONTROL
General.—During the year the Rodent Control Scheme, as
approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has
continued, although with the introduction in 1959 of "block" grants
to local authorities, direct financial assistance by the government to
this service ceased.
Of a total of 2,033 investigations made, 419 were as a result of
notification, 45 were from re-notification and 1,569 were from
surveys carried out under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act,
1949. Notification by occupiers, coupled with the number of
infestations found as a result of routine investigations gave an
average monthly rate of 44 compared with a figure of 46 for the
previous year.
In all, 464 treatments were carried out and infestation was
found to exist at 5 Local Authority Premises, 335 dwelling houses
and 105 miscellaneous premises and places of business. Reinfestation
occurred in 43 instances. Twelve major infestations, 10
of rats and 2 of mice, were disclosed, two of which were located in
dwelling houses.
Notwithstanding the fact that large industrial firms are inclined
to make contracts with servicing companies and to train their own
personnel, periodical treatments were carried out at 6 industrial
premises and 3 hospitals.
Following the policy of tracing the source of infestation in each
case, 27 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.
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.
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.
The Rodent Control personnel have performed their duties with
diligence throughout the year and have given the Department good
service.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.—Rats and mice are
notorious not only for the wholesale destruction and fouling of foodstuffs
and for the structural damage they cause to buildings, but also