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The Common rat infestations were mainly confined to re-development sites in varying stages
of construction. These sites offer every facility and are in every way conducive to this type of
infestation. From the moment contractors occupy a site the inducement to infestation is provided.
Huts are erected, slightly raised from the ground, thereby offering harbourage. Old and often
obsolete drainage is broken into and exposed during excavation, which progresses in stages in
comprehensive developments. For instance, Stage 1 of a site, the tower block can be well
advanced, and surrounded by excavation of Stage 2 — 3. Structural harbourage, though temporary
is provided, and to this must be added the incidental nesting facilities provided by the vast
quantities of materials and accumulations common to such sites. The temporary canteens provided
for the workmen are on the whole well maintained, but under such circumstances are an
attraction. The principle food supply is without doubt, provided by the workmen who distribute
food over the entire site by haphazard and thoughtless disposal of scraps, and with utter disregard
to the fact that they are encouraging infestation.
The morning and afternoon "tea breaks", much in the news last summer have increased this
problem, but whereas it was the practice for the workmen to leave the various floors and adjourn
to the canteen, usually sited in the basement, the tea is now taken to the workmen on the floors
throughout the structure, with the inevitable result that waste and unwanted food is discarded
widespread.
All sites were periodically inspected ,and when frequently such conditions were found to
exist, the necessary action to clean up was taken by the contractors as far as practicable having
regard to the conditions and labour force involved.
The gradual increase and wider distribution of mice infestation apparent in recent years and
coinciding with the decrease in rat infestation has not been quite so noticeable,. there being a
reduction of 42% in major infestations, while the number of infestations in the minor category
remained constant.
Many of the complaints of mice infestation are received from offices, and the reason can
usually be traced to the thoughtless disposal of food scraps by the staff. It is a common occurrence
to find food wrappings, fruit parings, odd scraps and milk bottle tops with cream adhering
thrown down in inaccessible places behind furniture, fixtures and fittings. Alternately it is put
into waste baskets where, as a general rule, it remains all night, to attract and provide subsistence
for mice. The contents of the baskets, usually emptied in the morning are then placed in
waste paper sacks and stored in basements for varying periods until collected, again providing
subsistence in warm and undisturbed conditions.
Prior to the institution of the Smokeless Zone and oil-fired boilers a large proportion of nondescript
rubbish often found in basements, and contributary to mice infestation was disposed of
by burning, but as previously stated the co-operation received from the Cleansing Department
has greatly assisted occupiers and owners responsible for removal to comply when requested to
do so.
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