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complaints could be efficiently dealt with, a total of 685 properties
were visited, and 305 of these were found to be infested with rats
or mice. All the infested properties were treated by the Rodent
Operator.
The majority of the infestations treated during the year have
been of a minor character and treatments have in general been
successful. In a few cases difficulty has been experienced, but by
re-treatment and variations of both poisoning and bait satisfactory
results have been obtained.
The usual poisons, zinc phosphide, arsenic and red squill have been
employed in the majority of cases. Continued use of warfarin has
shown that it is very effective in certain cases and has advantages
over other poisons where pre-baiting is not possible.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rodent Control
Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, two treatments of the sewers
were made. The first in January being a maintenance treatment and
the second in July being the annual 10 per cent, test of the sewer
manholes, followed by a treatment based on the results of the test.
The maintenance treatment of the sewers which was carried out
in January consisted of prebaiting 42 manholes with sausage rusk.
These manholes being those which showed "takes" at previous
treatments, with the addition of manholes in the immediate vicinity.
Of the manholes prebaited 12 showed "takes," these were subsequently
poison-baited with sausage rusk and zinc phosphide.
Two days after laying the poison it was found that in 10 cases the
bait had been partially consumed.
During the annual 10 per cent, test of the sewer manholes in
July, 160 manholes were baited with damp sausage rusk, and on
an inspection being made two days later in 9 cases the bait had
been completely taken and in 5 cases partially taken. This test was
followed by a treatment in which 53 manholes were prebaited,
consisting of those in which bait was partially or completely taken
and those in the immediate vicinity. Twenty-four of these manholes
showed "takes," these being poison baited when 15 partial "takes"
were found. There were no complete "takes" of poison bait.
From the above result it is indicated that the sewers of the area
are not seriously rat infested.
Insect Control
The number of complaints that are being received regarding
infestations by various types of insects, not necessarily fleas and
bugs, is increasing. In these cases assistance and advice are given
and where necessary insecticides are supplied free of charge.
The number of verminous premises which have been treated
during the year is extremely low, and the existence of fleas and bugs
in houses in this area is now rare.
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