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73
with different degrees of efficiency, the result being unsatisfactory and indefinite because
it depends upon individual and not collective effort. Here it is that the rat gains its reputation
for cleverness. That it avoids our traps successfully cannot be denied ; but the ordinary
break-back trap has many points in its disfavour—primarily, the number of years it has
been in use. It is feasible that the rat has an inborn instinctiveness to avoid such a trap ;
again, if the trap is successful, it shows another rat how its less fortunate mate was killed.
Rats killed in break-back traps often lie dead in them for hours, there to be seen by others.
The introduction of printers' varnish as a trap (this is a sticky substance, laid on cardboard)
took place some years ago. It was extensively used and recommended in the City. It
was new. Hundreds of rats were caught through this medium—seven, eight, nine, on a board.
Now the rat is shy of this contrivance. It still has success where it is introduced for the
first time, but it appears that any method of catching rats which shows others how it is
done must fail with the passing of time.
Many poisons are employed to destroy rats. Many succeed, but ever present is the
danger of this " domestic " rat dying under the floor or in the hollow wall, probably in the
water storage tank, circumstances which often bring complaints to this Department. For
these reasons the use of poison is not recommended by this Department.
Because experience has shown the general methods of destruction—trapping and
poisoning—to be unsatisfactory this Department in many cases continues to recommend
the employment of skilled catchers, men who catch rats and immediately remove them from
the eyes of their fellows, without those remaining rats knowing how it was done. Yet it
must be stressed again that this method alone would not be successful. The catcher must
have the co-operation of the persons inhabiting the building he is endeavouring to clear.
The removal of attractions is the chief weapon. Where this, together with rat-catching
and rat-proofing, can be introduced simultaneously, success will be obtained. Let the
public be rat-conscious from the view-point of public health, and much will have been done
to achieve the overthrow of this pest.