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In every case of infestation, systematic treatment is carried out by
using the methods recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries (Infestation Control Division). One rodent operator is employed
on this work under the general supervision of the sanitary inspectors.
During the year no notification of the presence of rats or mice in
substantial numbers has been received. However as the result of complaints
received, 370 properties have been inspected and treatment for
the eradication of rats or mice carried out by the rodent operator in
187 properties. In many instances the rat infestations were associated
with defects in the drainage system.
Following is a summary of the work carried out during 1954:—
Properties inspected as a result of notification 370
Other properties investigated 144
Properties found to be infested:—
Rats (a) Major 7
(b) Minor 214
Mice (a) Major 8
(b) Minor 72
No. of infested properties treated by Rodent Operator 187
Total No. of treatments 194
No. of written notices served 2
The rat population in sewers and drains causes a high proportion of
infestations above ground in heavily built up areas. The eradication of
this population or at least its reduction to small dimensions is one of
the first tasks in the war against rats. The problem is a complex one
depending for its success, in the first place, on a proper understanding
of the rat distribution throughout the area.
Regular sewer treatment is carried out by the Borough Engineer and
Surveyor's Department in co-operation with the Health Department.
Before placing poison baits in the manholes "prebaiting", is carried out
on two consecutive days. This is the placing of unpoisoned bait in each
manhole and is intended to attract as many of the rats as possible to the
baiting points, which are of necessity all too few.
During the year two treatments of both soil and surface sewers w ere
carried out. Arsenic was used as a poison for the first treatment of soil
sewers and zinc phosphide for the second. Red squill was used on both
occasions for the surface water sewers. Whenever possible it is of
advantage to change the poison used so as to overcome "poisonprejudice"
which is sometimes developed by rats. Dangerous poisons
are not used on surface water sewers so red squill was used on both
occasions.
Test baiting is carried out in sections of the sewers showing a small
rat populations with a view to determining whether a more extensvie
treatment is necessary.
Following are details of the two sewer treatments and one test bait
carried out during the year:—
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