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infestation was mainly due to an increasingly thorough survey
of properties adjoining those from which complaints emanated
and the subsequent treatments of a greater number of properties.
There were two cases of rat infestation which were of
particular interest
1.A heavy recurrent infestation underneath a basement
floor, although there was no evidence that the rats broke out
into the dwelling. There was no indication as to how they
gained access. The domestic drainage had been renewed within
the last few years and was constructed of cast iron. The actual
line of the old pipe sewer was not known with any certainty but
the application of a smoke test over the raking arm of the
domestic drainage intercepting trap revealed without any doubt
that it ran underneath the infested house and was defective.
The section was relaid in a different position and it was not
until after completion of the work that there was any break out
of the rodents from the sub-floor space into the dwelling,
where they were obviously in search of food. One treatment was
then completely successful in determining the subsequent minor
infestation. No trouble has since been experienced.
2.A basement tenant complained that she had seen a rat
which escaped down the trap of the water closet. Upon investigation
of the drainage system the access chamber into which the
branch soil drain discharged revealed numerous rodent foot-prints
on the benching. A second chamber some 15-20 feet away was found
complete with rat nest constructed on the upper part of the
benching. The domestic drainage system and sewer connection
was subjected to a test and found to be sound. In this instance
the route of infestation had been from house to drain instead of,
as is usual, from drain to house. It also proved beyond doubt
that the water-seal to the trap of a W.C. is not a fully effective
barrier to rats.
Charges for Rodent Extermination
As a result of a review of the cost of rodent work,
the charge to business premises was increased from 7s.6d. to the
more realistic figure of 17s.Od. per hour. It was at first
thought that the increased charge would deter traders from taking
advantage of the Council's rodent service, but this has not
been so.