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35
Rcdent Control - Business Premises (Cont/n. )
estimate of cost is insisted upon in all cases before treatment
is commenced. The service available to business houses in
the borough was utilised during 1947 to an increasing extent.
Apart from periodical visits, urgent requests for treatment of
premises always receive attention at short notice. This is a
distinct advantage to the traders concerned and is greatly
appreciated.
(c) Sewers. There is little doubt that in any old
town, and particularly if it happens to be situate on a river
or other waterway, sewers are a common source of rodent infestation.
It is equally certain that there is a definite connection
between surface or ground infestations, and those found in
sewers. This has been proved more than once locally. Lack of
adequate supervision in the past has led to disused sewer
connections being allowed to remain unsealed, thus providing a
very convenient means of transit for the rats. Old lengths of
drains and sewers also have remained unsealed after they have
ceased to function and have been discovered only as the result
of investigations into rodent infestations in the immediate
locality.
The bald statement that the sewers have been treated
gives very little indication of the work involved, and the
following facts may, therefore, prove informative.
Over 600 sewer manholes were baited during 1947;
to do this manhole covers were lifted approximately
2,500 times.
The length of highway dealt with is over 40 miles.
4 cwt. of bait was prepared and used in the manholes
at the rate of 4 ozs. each deposit of bait.
1079 manholes or inspection lampholes were plotted
for position on plans.
A number of manholes not constructed with benchings
were provided with metal wall-trays upon which baits
were deposited.
The sewers in the central part of the borough received
a 'maintenance' treatment and 26% of the manholes baited were
found to be infested. In the remainder of the town the sewers
received what is technically known as two 'initial' treatments,
the first of which revealed evidence of 25% infestation and
the second showed a 15% positive result.
It will be seen from the above that your Corporation
has set a good example as owners, by dealing thoroughly with
their sewers. This work and the results achieved will undoubtedly
prove of much benefit to the town generally. The
usual method of baiting is twice with clean bait and then to
follow up with a third bait containing poison. The poison baits
are laid only in those manholes where there were 'takes' of the
first or second 'clean' baits.
(d) Refuse Tips and other Corporation Properties.
Periodical surveys were made and infestations dealt with by
poison baits or by gassing, according to circumstances. The
refuse tips were reported to be free from infestation at the
end of 1947. The treatments given during that year proved very
effective.