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(22)
A test bait was made of 10% of the soil sewer manholes in the district,
from the results of which are based the two maintenance treatments of the
sewers required by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as one
of the conditions under which the Ministry pay 50% of the Council's rodent
control expenses.
The test bait in May resulted in 1 complete take and 5 partial takes of
bait out of 90 manholes baited.
The maintenance treatments carried out in June and November, when 35
and 25 manholes were baited respectively, resulted in 1 partial take only on
each occasion. These results constitute the best ever and indicate that
the sewers are now virtually cleared of rats. It is to be hoped that subsequent
tests and treatments prove this low level of infestation to be
maintained.
No charge is made for the use of the Rodent Operator's services in
treating private domestic premises, provided that the occupiers co-operate in
carrying out their duties under the Act.
The cost of treatments at all other premises is recoverable.
OTHER INFESTATIONS.
Members of the public seem more concerned with infestations of all kinds
of insects than previously and advice was given in respect of twenty-eight
infestations of a wide variety of insects, e.g. various beetles, ants, cockroaches,
flies, mosquitoes, fleas, moths, bugs, silver fish, etc.
Small quantities of liquid or powder insecticides are distributed and
only in rare cases do the department carry out the necessary work. This we
did in eradicating fifty-nine wasps' nests using Cyanide or a power sprayer
with liquid insecticide.
PET ANIMALS ACT. 1951.
This Act gives the local Authority, inter alia, power to grant licences
to persons to keep pet shops for the sale of pet animals and to attach to the
licences conditions concerning the cleanliness and general management of the
premises: there are five persons licensed in the district. No complaints