View report page

RODENT CONTROL
To comply with the provisions of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, it is the duty
of every Local Authority to take such steps as may be necessary to secure so far as practicable
that their district is kept free from rats and mice and in particular—
(a) from time to time to carry out such inspections as may be necessary for the purpose
aforesaid;
(b) to destroy rats and mice on land of which they are the occupier and otherwise to keep
such land so far as practicable free from rats and mice;
(c) to enforce the duties of owners and occupiers of land under the provisions of Part 1 of
this Act, and to carry out such operations as are authorised by those provisions;
(d) to keep such records and make such reports relating to their functions under this Part of
this Act as may be required by any directions given by the Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food.
In implementing these provisions, organisation and procedure of the Hodent Control Section
during the year were similar to that of previous years, comprising inspection of properties to
ascertain the presence of rats and mice, treatment of any such properties found to be infected,
and periodical maintenance control measures for the destruction of rats in the City sewers.
It has always been the policy to seek the co-operation of occupiers and owners of properties,
and the response to this approach has been satisfactory. No difficulty has arisen necessitating
statutory action to resolve the problem.
A major proportion of the work comprised inspection of defined areas for the purpose of
instituting collective action. In instances of individual notification of infestation, or request for
assistance in control measures, the properties adjoining were also inspected and, if necessary,
combined action taken.
In respect of this side of the work, 3,784 occupancies and properties were inspected, these
properties ranging from new buildings in varying stages of construction, blocks of offices, riverside
food warehouses, catering establishments, factories and all types of shops, to domestic
dwellings.
A total of 661 infestations of rats or mice were the subject of control measures and of this
number, 388 infestations were notified by owners or occupiers of properties, and 280 infestations
were found on inspection. This total comprised 7 major and 141 minor infestations of rats, and
124 major and 389 minor infestations of mice. Treatment of these infestations entailed 5,837
visits for operational purposes. In the process of control measures for rats, 4,033 initial baiting
points were selected, 10,519 pre-baits and 823 poison baits were laid. This resulted in a minimum
estimated kill of 782 rats, and of this number, 459 bodies were recovered. In addition 63
rats were destroyed by means of trapping. The use of "Warfarin" anti-coagulant rodenticide for
the control of mice resulted in 1,644 bodies being f ound.
As in the past, the rat infestations were principally of Ship (Hack) rat character, and minor
infestations of this nature often entail greater assiduity in respect of inspection and control
measures than major infestations distributed over a similar area.
Infestations of mice have been constant in relation to the previous year and, of the total
number of treatments carried out, 513 were for infestations of this nature.
In 31 instances structural rat proofing was carried out by owners or occupiers and in three
instances defective drainage resulting in common rat infestation was remedied. Incidental rat
and mouse proofing in the nature of removal of accumulations has received detailed attention
and in this respect the assistance of the Director of Public Cleansing and his Inspectors has
been invaluable.
The downward trend of rat infestation in surface properties has continued and a further decline
in the number of infestations treated, and the numerical quantity of the same has been manifest.
There is a 30% reduction in major infestations (20 rats or over) and 7% reduction in the minor
classification.
In summarising the position of rat infestation in surface premises and the steady decline in
recent years, there are several contributory factors. Occupiers and owners have become rat and
mouse conscious, and generally welcome advice and treatment of infestations that at one time
would have been accepted as inevitable.
In the field of catering premises, of which there are approximately 1,000 in the City, the
continued improvement of structural conditions and general hygiene is in the main due to the
efforts of Mr. Thompson and Mr. Flynn, Public Health Inspectors, and this contribution as an
adjunct to rodent control has been of great assistance.
In reviewing the present situation, a wide perspective is necessary, the City having Iboundaries
with five Metropolitan Boroughs, and a considerable riverside frontage of warehouses.
14.