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The Local Authority also have a specific liability to ensure,
as far as practicable, that all land and buildings occupied by them
are kept free from rats and mice. This includes Parks, Recreation
Grounds, Schools and Public Buildings and all sewers vested in
the Local Authority.
It is not widely known, but it is the duty of the occupier or
owner of any premises to notify the Local Authority of the presence
of rats or mice on land that they occupy, and it is, in fact,
the responsibility of the occupier to take steps to rid their premises
of these pests.
This Council have, however, provided a service for this purpose
over a number of years, and one Rodent Officer is employed
in the Health Department. This Officer is provided with a van
and the necessary equipment to trace and deal with all forms of
infestation. This service is provided free to all ratepayers in the
District.
During the past year, 478 notifications were received of infestations
and the Public Health Inspectors and Rodent Officer
carried out 4,007 inspections and reinspections of premises and
all necessary measures were taken to eradicate the rats and mice.
Regular routine inspections are made of all Parks, Recreation
Grounds and Schools and disinfestation is carried out when
necessary.
Considerable thought has to be given to the right type of
poison to be used, and after much experience it is considered
that the most satisfactory and economical poison to use is that
commonly known as "Warfarin." This poison has the approval
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and has the
following advantages:—
It is reasonably safe as far as humans and domestic animals
are concerned, and it is not necessary to use pre-baits. Therefore,
the first baits contain poison and much time is saved.
There are two specific ways that members of the public encourage
rats and mice, to which specific attention should be drawn.
The first of these is the frequent practice of the public in
throwing large quantities of bread out to feed birds. Instances
have been found where large slices of bread have been thrown
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