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Some branches of the stwerage system give constant shelter,
food and, indeed, every facility for the continued existence of the rat.
Beckenham, however, appears to differ in one respect from many
other areas, for here the instances where heavy surface infestation
occurs as a result of infested sewers are rare. Where such a link-up
does occur, however, the remedy may well entail extensive and very
costly work, and such are the ramifications of rat burrows beneath
the surface of the ground, excavation has frequently to procced on the
basis of trial and error.
It is fortunate, therefore, that most sewer rats keep to their
underground homes, but it is, nevertheless, very necessary to control
their prevalence there. In 1946 this Council, in common with other
authorities throughout the country, and acting at the direction of the
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, instituted twice yearly
poison baiting of sewers, and this work has continued, under the
supervision of the Public Health Department, twice annually ever since.
Infestation was found to be heavy and widespread in the early
years of this work, but by 1950/51 much of the sewerage system had
been cleared and has since remained free of the vermin. In other
sections, however (and this applies particularly to the older sewers
in the Town), infestation remains constant and severe. Without
doubt each six-monthly baiting in these areas result in a large kill,
but the colonies are so well established, and facilities for survival so
perfect, that these factors, in conjunction with the natural prolific
breeding of the rat, maintains the severe infestation which continues.
It appears that we have reached the minimum level to which this
problem can be reduced in this area by the present methods of control.
Surface Infestation.
Although the number of complaints made still maintains a very
high level (717 were received in 1956), the degree of the vast majority
of infestations is very low.
In most cases the nuisance is very speedily remedied by the work
of the Rodent Operators, who, because of their ever-increasing experience
and understanding of the habits of the rat, are able speedily
to get right to the source of the various infestations and deal with
them. Their work on private properties (mainly in the gardens
thereof) is greatly appreciated by complainants, and many letters and
expressions of thanks for services rendered have been received during
the year.
Shops Act, 1950.
The duties of the Public Health Inspectors under this Act differ
very widely in character. The health and welfare provisions embrace
sanitation, heating, ventilation, rest facilities, etc., but the Inspectors
are also the Council's authorised Officers for enforcing the statute so
far as it relates to hours of opening and closing, the weekly half-holiday
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