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Pre-baiting was commenced on a Monday and 850 baits were laid throughout the whole building.
Baiting points were recorded and daily checks were carried out to determine the scale of infestation
at the various points. The baiting points were maintained and increased as necessary and, in all,
a total of 1,600 pre-baits were laid. Pre-baiting was carried out for four days and showed a widespread
infestation. The pre-baiting showed a heavy initial " take " but on subsequent days the
" take " was much reduced.
Poison baiting was carried out with Rolled Oats, Tallow and Zinc Phosphide on the following
Friday afternoon to allow the baits to remain in position on Saturday and Sunday. The "take"
of poison bait was disappointing compared with the large number of pre-baits taken. A number of
dead mice were found on the premises by the Rodent Operative and dead mice were found in large
numbers by the cleaners.
The premises were subsequently visited to carry out further treatments, but the manager stated
that this was unnecessary as no mice had been seen since the first treatment and no damage to stock
had occurred.
The treatment of these premises has given valuable information and the following conclusions
have been arrived at:—
(1) Providing an attractive bait is used, and there is not a large amount of food available, prebaiting
is not necessary.
(2) Baiting by prepared small baits is preferable as it facilitates the laying of baits and the
baits can be prepared off the premises.
(3) Unmistakeable marking of baiting points is essential to prevent their removal by cleaners.
The second case originated from a complaint of rats received from a tenant of a dwelling house
in the Borough.
On investigation it was found that the property in question was the only one seriously affected,
although signs of rats were present in the house on either side.
Baiting was carried out, floors lifted and the drains tested with no positive result to show any
breakage. Although good " takes " of poison bait were experienced, the tenant still complained of
heavy infestation which was disturbing her rest at night. Baiting was carried out in all three houses,
but still had no material effect on the infestation affecting the house from which the complaint
originated. The adjoining tenants had made no complaints of rats although one stated she noticed
an objectionable smell affecting her living room.
It was then noticed that the pavement outside one of the adjoining houses was being undermined
by rats. The paving stones were lifted and it was found that rats were coming from under the front
main wall of this adjoining house. The Council's workmen thereupon dug in the front rooms of the
house and approximately three feet under the floor was found a disused brick drain which was being
used as a run by the rats.
This old drain was traced to the rear of the houses and the men excavated in the scullery of the
house originally affected where the brick drain was again found and also a large brick sewer (also
disused) at a lower level, which also was being used by rats.
A further excavation was made to a depth of six feet and this brick sewer was found to run along
the backs of the houses.
A third excavation was then made at the rear of the other adjoining house and the end of the brick
sewer was found, also a gully branch drain in a very defective condition, through which the rats were
penetrating into the old brick sewer. This brick sewer was also traced to the opposite side of an
adjoining road.
This case is interesting in that it shows the difficulty in tracing a rat nuisance to the actual source.
In this case, a defective drain was not causing a nuisance at its source, but to adjoining properties, and
even to some properties some distance away, in another road, where no apparent connection with the
original property existed.
RODENT CONTROL—Maintenance of Sewers.
The first maintenance treatment of sewers was carried out during the period 31st May to 4th
June, inclusive.
The treatment was carried out on consecutive days as follows:—
Pre-baiting 3 days—31st May, 1st and 2nd June.
Poison Baiting 1 day—3rd June.
Check of poison bait 1 day—4th June.
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