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It will be seen from the above Table that steady progress has
been made to reduce the rat population in the sewers, over a period
of years. The gap in treatments in 1956/57 meant that a corresponding
increase in labour and materials was necessary when treatments
were resumed, but it is felt that the increase was directly proportional
and that little was either gained or lost on account of the gap. We
have however reached a stage in these treatments where little further
reduction in infestation can be expected unless an intensive, and
correspondingly expensive, drive was to be made to eliminate entirely
the infestation in the bad areas. The rats occasionally break out of
the sewers and trouble residents. They are then dealt with by surface
treatments and by the tracing and repair of defective drains and
sewers.
The free treatment of domestic premises against rats, and in a
few bad cases, against mice, has continued at a satisfactory level.
Improved methods of treatment have resulted in a diminution in the
number and degree of infestations. Residents readily avail themselves
of this service but it should be realised that it is relatively more
difficult to trace and deal with an odd rat than to treat a large
infestation.
The following is a summary of work carried out:—
Premises visited 436
Inspections made 458
Treatment visits 485
Premises treated 148
Minor Infestations of Rats 140
Minor Infestations of Mice 12