View report page

74
The Council's sewers were baited in June, 1953. The treatment
was of four to five weeks' duration, involving some 1,158 manholes
each of which was baited on three successive days, and the percentage
of " takes " amounted to 51.46 per cent. The staff required for a
sewer treatment comprises four employees of the Borough Engineer's
Department (two sewermen and two labourers) and two rodent
operatives. Two gangs, with a rodent operative in charge of each,
operate in different parts of the district.
During these periods the remaining rodent operative endeavours
to deal with complaints and other essential duties in the Public
Health Deparrtment. The December treatment had to be postponed
owing to shortage of rodent staff.
The technical officers of the Rodent Division, Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, are confident that poisoning campaigns
carried out by adjoining local authorities in the London area over
the past nine years have undoubtedly resulted in a considerable
reduction of rats in the sewers and a proportionate decrease in
surface infestation ; but measures taken to destroy rats, however
successful, have only a limited and temporary effect. Most people
know that rats are prolific, but few are aware of the rapidity with
which their numbers increase. Research has shown that a pair of
rats and their descendants may produce, in the course of 12 months,
well over 1,000 offspring.
Poison baiting of sewers was not expected to eliminate sewer
rats completely for the impossibility of bringing all rats to feed at
available baiting points is evident. The primary need is therefore
to take all possible steps to prevent the migration of rats from
defective sewers and drains to adjoining buildings.
All infestations are carefully investigated by the Sanitary
Inspectors, who then arrange for drainage systems suspected of
being a source of trouble to be smoke-tested. If defects in the house
drains and/or public sewers are confirmed, a report is submitted
to the Public Health Committee requesting authority to enable
appropriate statutory action to be taken in accordance with the
provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936.
(ii) Statistics.
(a) Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
Complaints received and investigated 443
Premises not treated (not genuine infestation) 2