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51.
RODENT CONTROL.
(Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949).
The small number of complaints of rodent infestations throughout the
year is a matter of the utmost significance and confirms the wisdom of spending
so much time in order that all disused drains are abolished as demolition of
premises takes place. This work takes a great deal of the Public Health
Inspectors time in ascertaining drainage layouts before the demolition of
premises takes place, and supervising the effective sealing of all disused
branch drains before the Areas are redeveloped.
Once again the evidence of the black rat in Shoreditch is conspicuous by
its absence.
Sewer Treatments.
Whilst a great deal of success had been achieved in the use of Warfarin
poison baits in sewers throughout the Borough, at the Ministry's request the
policy of the use of Warfarin was discontinued and substituted by direct
poisoning with 1081 (Fluoracetamide).
All manholes and side entrances throughout the Borough were treated with
1081 three times during the year and a test baiting was carried out immediately
before the third treatment in the autumn. The result of this type of sewer
treatment has been most successful, and is to be continued during next year.
Throughout the whole of the Borough, the test baits at the end of the year
revealed no complete takes, and only 168 partial takes in a total of 415 manholes
and side entrances.
The rat population in the sewers of Shoreditch is greatly reduced and
therefore during next year less than 50% of the sewers in the Borough will need
to be treated. At the end of next year all manholes and side entrances will
be test baited to assess the rat population in the sewers.
Sealing of disused branch drains.
If all disused branch drains were completely abolished as demolition
takes place practically all the breeding grounds for rats would be abolished.
Rats do not breed in the sewers but in the disused branch drains.
Rats use the sewers as a means of travelling from one place to another
in search of food.
To do this work assiduously and effectively a great deal of time is spent
in preparing plans of existing drainage before premises are demolished. When
demolition eventually takes place a great deal of attention is paid to
effectively sealing the disused drains and it is the policy in Shoreditch to
fill all branch drains with a mixture of lime and sand or cement concrete down
to the sewer where it is impossible to enter the sewer and seal off in the
sewer. This work is done under the supervision of the Public Health Inspector
and takes up a great deal of time. Consideration is being given to the
appointment of a non-qualified operative, one with good practical building
experience to work under the supervision of Public Health Inspectors to enable
the qualified Inspector to devote more time to more important routine Public
Health work.