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145
The places where baits are laid should be noted and visited
regularly, and the baits destroyed if not taken within a
short time.
It should also be remembered that when trapping or poisoning
is being carried out all other sources of food supply should be cut
off from rats as far as possible.
(3) Rat Viruses.
Rat viruses consist of cultures of microbes that cause intestinal
diseases in rats.
They are uncertain in action, and as there is a risk that
human beings may become infected, their employment is not
recommended.
(4) Fumigation by Sulphur Dioxide is of little use in dwelling-
houses , or where food is stored.
(5) The employment of the natural enemies of the rat:—
(a) The Mongoose.
(b)The Ferret.
(c) A well-trained ratting dog.
(d) A ratting cat.
In dwelling-houses much trouble can be prevented if a good
ratting cat is kept and properly fed.
(6) Rat Catchers.
Suggested Procedure.
So long as the law does not provide for the co-operation of the owner
and occupier in carrying out measures of rat prevention and destruction,
very little of an effective nature can be done in making premises rat-proof,
and, as already mentioned, occupiers of the majority of houses are unable
to engage the services of a rat catcher.
To meet this difficulty and to offer some practical assistance to
occupiers of dwelling-houses, an adjoining Borough has employed two