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In February and March, 1051, a 10% test bait of sewer
manholes was carried out; 341 manholes were baited and there
were 10 recorded "takes". In the maintenance treatment which
followed 182 manholes were baited, giving 102 partial "takes"
and 42 complete " takes ". The maintenance treatment carried out
in August gave the following figures:—manholes baited 205;
partial "takes" 134; complete "takes " 24.
The number of premises found infested and .subsequently
treated was approximately the same as in the previous year
but none of the infestations was heavy.
A commencement has been made in the use of Warfarin, a
blood anti-coagulant, mixed in very small proportions with medium
oatmeal as a bait and although the results are very promising it
is too early to draw definite conclusions upon the experience so
far gained.
17. THE HYDROGEN CYANIDE (FUMIGATION OF
BUILDINGS) REGULATIONS, 1038; THE HYDROGEN
CYANIDE (FUMIGATION OF BUILDINGS) REGULATIONS,
1051. The 1051 Regulations, which introduced several new
features, came into operation on the 1st February, 1052, and
repealed the 1038 Regulations. For several years no statutory
notifications of intention to use Hydrogen Cyanide for fumigation
have been received in the Department. With the advent of
insecticides such as D.D.T. and Benzine Hexachloride the necessity
for using such a dangerous substance as Hydrogen Cyanide has
been very materially reduced and its use is only warranted in
exceptional circumstances.
IS. MOSQUITOES. No mosquito activity was reported during
the year under review. Preventive measures which were put
into operation at places which were known to be breeding sites
on a previous occasion appear to have been effective against the
species Culex Molestus.
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