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22
Special liaison is made with the Borough Engineer's department
for the treatment of sewers. In 1959 treatments were carried out in
April and October. The method employed in carrying out the work
was to deposit 8 ozs. poison bait on the first day and if a take was
shown, 16 ozs. of bait was used on the second day. In any case at
least 8 ozs. of poison bait was deposited.
The following is a summary of the results obtained:—
Spring treatment
Manholes baited 2,971
Manholes showing takes 536
Manholes showing takes (on one or both
days) 606
Autumn treatment
Manholes baited 2,615
Manholes showing takes 740
Manholes showing takes (on one or both
days) 933
In consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and
the Borough Engineer a scheme has been worked out (to commence in
April, 1960) for continuous baiting of the sewer manholes, in place of
the usual twice yearly treatment. The poison to be used will be sodium
fluoracetate (1080). This highly toxic substance and its use is mainly
confined at present to the baiting of sewers. The Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries have undertaken to train a number of Council's
sewermen in the technique of sewer baiting and the correct handling
and use of this particular poison.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949
A copy of the report covering the nine months ended 31st
December, 1959, submitted to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food, as required by the provisions of the above Act, is appended:—