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Rodent Control.
In regard to the treatment of premises for rat and mice infestation,
there is no change in staffing to report. The Council still give
a treatment at householder's dwellings for which no charge is made;
a charge is still made, however, for the treatment of business
premises. One operator is still engaged for this work.
Whilst the operator works conscientiously, records do not indicate
the eradication of these pests. If the recorded number of complaints
can be accepted as a guide, then one can only conclude that the rat
is still holding his own and is far from being beaten. Although this
is not the result we anticipated we can safely conclude that had the
work of the operator been suspended or been non-existent, the rat
population would be much greater than it is. The Borough is fortunate
in not having any infestations of great size.
The number of complaints received in the past is as follows:—
1946 — 346 1947 — 139 1948 — 210
1949 — 287 1950 — 284 1951 — 290
1952 — 330 1953 — 316
Comment was made in last year's Report about Warfarin and its
use for rodent destruction. It can again be reported as being most
useful in this work and consequently is used together with the other
poisons.
Sewer treatment was again carried out twice during the year
and as in previous years the work was supervised by the Deputy
Senior Sanitary Inspector.The Borough Engineer and Surveyor must
be thanked for arranging for the necessary staff to perform the work.
Two tables show the result of the baiting of sewers for the two
treatments made in 1953.
A table is also given of the summaries for the years since 1948.
When comparing the figures for 1953, one must notice the jump in
the number of complete takes and partial takes for 1952. Figures for
1953 show some easing in this respect. The number of "no takes" recorded
shows a reduction.
One can conclude that, as with surface treatment, the work, whilst
not producing the results desired, is worth while in that the population
of rats is kept down. That in itself from the public health angle
compensates for the efforts put into the work.
Surface treatment: