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RODENT CONTROL
In compliance 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 as far as
may be practicable that their district is kept free from rats and mice and in particular —
(a) from time to time carry out such inspections as may be necessary for the purpose aforsaid;
(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 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.
For the purpose of implementing the aforementioned provisions, organisation and procedure
of the Rodent Control Department were similar to those of previous years, comprising inspection of
properties to ascertain the presence of infestation by rats and mice, treatment of any such properties
found to be infested, recommendation and supervision of structural and incidental proofing
and periodical maintenance control measures for the destruction of rats in the City sewers.
No difficulty has arisen necessitating statutory action to resolve the problem and the cooperation
of occupiers and owners received in the past has been maintained.
A total of 2,133 occupancies and properties were inspected,such properties ranging from new
developments in the course of construction, riverside food warehouses and adjoining premises
public and private catering establishments, blocks of offices, shops and factories to domestic
dwellings. In instances of individual notification of infestation or request for applied control
measures the remaining occupancies and adjoining properties were inspected and where necessary
combined action taken.
Altogether 572 complaints were received, either by notification or as the result of inspection
and of the total, 508 infestatiohs were subject to control measures. In 64 instances no action
other than advice was necessary. These were mainly where an odd mouse was suspected, and in
most instances reported by the office cleaner. Nevertheless, the often long procedure of investigation
still had to be applied, if only for the reassurance of the office staffs. Such cases do
however, indicate the increasing awareness of employers and employees of even minor nuisances
and their readiness to seek advice and apply remedial measures. It is inevitable that from time
to time complaints of offensive odours due to decomposing mice are received and where accessible
the cause was removed or the odour diminished by a masking agent.
The total of 508 infestations subject to control measures comprised 8 major and 76 minor
infestations of rats, and 8 major and 416 minor infestations of mice. Of the rat infestations, 4
major and 52 minor were of common rat (Rattus Norvegicus) character and the remainder, 4 major
and 24 minor infestations,came under the Ship (Black) rat (Rattus Rattus) classification.
Treatment of these infestations entailed 3,994 visits for operational purposes, and in the
application of control measures for rats 7,036 pre-baits and 669 poison baits were laid. Such
measures resulted in a minimum estimated kill of 989 rats and of that number 535 bodies were
removed from the sites of the operations. Many others were found on elimination of structural
harbourage or removal of incidental harbourage providing nesting facilities, but no cognizance
is taken of these unless vouched for by a member of the Rodent staff. The use of anti-coagulant
rodenticides for the control of mice entailed the application of 9,403 initial baiting points and
795 bodies were recovered.
In 1945, the comparable figures were 399 rat infestations treated, 241 major (20-200 rats)and
158 minor infestations. Control measures then applied resulted in a minimum estimated kill of
10,038 rats of which 2,410 bodies were recovered. At that period 90% of rat infestation was of
Ship (Black Rat) character.
In 31 instances structural ratproofing was carried out by owners or occupiers following
control measures. Incidental rat and mouse proofing in the nature of removal of harbourage provided
by unnecessary and undisturbed accumulations has received detailed attention and the assistance
provided in this respect by the Director of Public Cleansing and his Inspectors has been
invaluable. In addition 8 instances of defective drainage resulting in common rat infestation
were remedied.
In respect of the demolition of properties for re-development, it is generally accepted by
occupiers of adjoining premises that they would as a result be subject to rat infestation, but
their fears have been unfounded, and so far no known infestations of Ship or Common rat have
occurred from this source.
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