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RODENT CONTROL.
Prevention of Damage by PestF Act. 1949.
A full time rodent operator is employed for treatment of infestations of
rats and mice. The table on the next page summarises the work carried out
during the year in a form to suit the purposes of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food. This return has been altered and does not now include
the treatment of field mice which so often are found in dwelling houses.
A test bait is 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.
The test bait in April resulted in fourteen complete "takes" and no partial
"takes" of bait out of a total of ninety-two manholes tested. Following this
up in May, sixty-two manholes were baited; takes were recorded in thirty and
these were poison baited. Unfortunately heavy rain confused the results of
the second maintenance treatment which was carried out at the end of October and
beginning of November when thirty-tree manholes were baited.
No charge is made for the use of the Rodent Operator1s services in treating
private domestic premises, provided that the occupiers co-operate in carrying
out their duties under the Act. Seven preliminary notices were served requiring
the removal of accumulations harbouring rats and to seal off old drains
etc.
The cost of treatments at all other premises is recoverable.
OTHER INFESTATIONS.
The Department is frequently asked for advice and assistance in connection
with insect infestations and during this year has dealt with some one hundred and
fifteen enquiries. Forty-eight wasps nests were destroyed on privately owned
properties and on the Council's own lands. A small charge is made for this
service to householders.
The other infestations cover a variety of things, e.g. beetles, ants, cockroaches,
flies, silver fish, woodworm and bugs.
We are assisted in the identification of some of these insects by the
British Museum (Natural History Section) the staff of which give prompt answers
to our queries.