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RODENT CONTROL.
In June, 1943, the Ministry of Food served a direction upon
the Council to carry out a Survey of the area. This was done, and
the general conclusions were:—
1. That there was no area in the district which could be
regarded as being of the "Reservoir type" of infestation.
2. That under the heading of "Major Primary Infestation"
could be placed:—
(a) Railway embankments eleven miles in length.
(b) Streams,
(c) Churchfields and Elmers End Allotments.
(d) Croydon Sewage Farm.
(e) The Destructor Plant at Electricity works.
(f) Dumps at Tiepigs Lane and Monks Orchard Road.
3. That "Minor Secondary infestation" existed in many parts
of the district on bombed sites and where poultry and
animals were kept.
After consideration of the report on this survey, the Ministry
served a direction on the Council to take all necessary action to
rid local authority premises and lands of rats.
The National Campaign of Rat Reporting commenced on
October 1st and boxes to receive reports were placed on all the
Wardens Posts. Up to 31st December, 390 complaints were
received.
The Health Committee recommended the Council to engage a
Rat Catcher on a full-time basis for six months to cope with the
additional work which was evidently necessary.
The Reports from residents were summarised and the affected
areas inspected. Reports came from widely separated parts of the
Borough; many of them revealed the existence of rats in small
numbers and the method of "pre-baiting" for three days before
placing poisoned bait in position was not practicable or necessary
in these cases.
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