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During the year, maintenance treatment of the sewers took place by the Borough Engineer's
Department, and I am indebted to the Borough Engineer for the following report:-
RAT DESTRUCTION IN SEWERS
The 21st maintenance treatment was carried out from 15th April, 1957 to 10th July, 1957.
1,063 manholes were baited and 594 pre-bait takes and 592 poison takes were recorded.
These results are a fair average over the last 10 years indicating that the rat population
of sewers was just being kept at a level.
The number of bodies observed on the screens at the sewage works did not show any percept
ible increase over the normal.
For the Autumn treatment - No 22 - the Ministry recommended that we should try direct
poisoning by the sodium fluoracetate (or '1080') method. This method entails only one visit to
each manhole to lay the poison bait, No records of "takes" are made.
The treatment was carried out by Insecta Laboratories Limited, at a cost of approximately
£320. During this treatment, over 100 bodies were observed at the sewage works.
A test bait treatment on the "clear" areas was carried out in March 1958. 275 manholes
were baited and showed the areas still substantially clear.
The total cost of the year"s treatments showed a saving of £91 on the £1000 in the Rate
Estimate.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
Number of journeys to collect bedding and spray
verminous premises 316
Number of journeys to return bedding 178
Rooms disinfected after infectious disease 192
Rooms disinfected after Phthisis 9
Rooms disinfected after other cases 48
Rooms disinfected after vermin 226
Articles
Bedding, clothing, etc., disinfected after infectious disease 1,803
Bedding, clothing, etc., disinfected after Phthisis 42
Bedding, clothing, etc., disinfected after other cases 218
Bedding, clothing, etc., disinfected after vermin 35
The Council distribute a disinfecting powder and fluid to residents who apply for same at
the Town Hall Yard During the year the applicants numbered 14 299 One hour daily is allowed
for such distribution with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays. A Formalin Chamber is used
for the disinfection of books, leather goods, etc. articles that would be damaged by steam
The number of books and other articles thus disinfected was 448.
31 Council properties and 17 other houses were found to be infested; the total number of
rooms disinfested was 239, The whole of the work is carried out by the Department, the materials
used being insecticides containing D.D.T. as a base.
31