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of routine treatments in sewers in an attempt to eradicate the nuisance at
source. In recent years, the level of rodent infestation in the sewers
appeared to be static, but at a level which still gave rise to fairly frequent
infestations.
Rats start to breed soon after reaching maturity, at about 2 months, and
may have 10 or more young in a litter. This fact suggested that, in order to
be effective, any scheme of control should attempt eradication before they
have time to breed. An experiment was, therefore, devised in Poplar to
poison sewers every 2 months instead of 3 prebaits and 3 poison treatments.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Pood were advised of these proposals.
The experiment started on the 8th May, 1961, with a complete prebait of the
whole sewer system using a sausage rusk. After assessment of the "takes" it
was decided to follow with 5 poison treatments bi-monthly, each lasting four
days, using the same bait to which Sodium Fluoracetamide (1081) would be
added. In May, 1962, a complete prebait, lasting 8 days, will be made at the
end of the series, and from the results of this it will be possible to assess
the results of the experiment.
Business premises.
The Council's Scheme for the inspection of premises and treatment, where
necessary, of infestation on commercial and industrial sites on a contributory
basis has again continued to function satisfactorily. The assessment of
charges is made on the estimated cost of labour, materials for visits and
treatments during the year, the actual contribution depending upon the size
and nature of the premises, the materials stored and handled and the degree
of current infestation. The income derived from this scheme amounted to
£4,207. 14. 11 d
Dwelling houses.
Where rat infestation of dwelling houses has been discovered it has
usually been found to be due to defects in the drain or sewer and suitable
repairs have been effected the number of complaints received during the year
totalled 412.
This service is carried out by the Council's staff and no charges are
made to occupiers of dwelling houses.
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