View report page

LICENSING OF PET SHOPS
Licences for keeping shops for the sale of pet animals were granted
in respect of two premises, one for the sale of birds and fish and the
other for birds, fish and small mammals. Six existing licences were
renewed and the numbers of licensed pet shops at the end of the year
were as follows:—
Dogs, cats, kittens, etc 1
Tropical fish 2
Birds 1
Birds and fish 2
Birds and small mammals 2
RODENT CONTROL
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, 332 properties were inspected and treatment
for the eradication of rats or mice carried out by the rodent operator
in 184 properties. In many instances, as can be expected, the rat
infestations were associated with defects in the drainage system.
Following is a summary of the work carried out during 1955:—
Properties inspected as a result of notification 332
Other properties investigated 150
Properties found to be infested:—
Rats (a) Major 2
(b) Minor 158
Mice (a) Major 4
(b) Minor 66
No. of infested properties treated by Rodent Operator 184
Total No. of treatments 188
No. of written notices served 2
Sewer Maintenance Treatment
Before commencing sewer maintenance treatment this year, test
baits were placed in 10% of the 1,810 manholes in the sewer system.
Approximately 59% of these were found to be rat infested and their
location was used as a guide in carrying out maintenance treatment in
March and September.
A number of manholes of the surface water sewers were baited and
poison laid where the manholes showed drains to be infested.
There is evidence that there is always a residual population of rats,
chiefly in the slow-running and older type of sewers. Between treatments
these rats increase to what is described as the "reservoir" type
of infestation in which there are colonies of rats having ample food
and living quarters. Such an infestation gives rise to secondary infestations
in surrounding properties, and it is only by periodical sewer
treatment that this large population can be reduced.
The result of the treatments is shown in the following table:—
40