London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Richmond upon Thames 1972

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]

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197219711970
Number of complaints received1,2561,2771,360
Number of infestations found1,1271,2841,074
Total number of visits (first plus follow-up visits) by rodent control staff11,51213,87310,401

Of the 1,127 infestations found, it is gratifying to report that the 730 caused by
rats is an appreciably lower figure than the 928 for 1971— a 21% reduction. 88% of
rat infestations occurred in domestic premises.
The expected increase occurred in mice infestations, 397 compared with 356 for
1971 and further escalations must be expected in the light of the eradication problems
when dealing with mice.
The lower total visits made by the staff reflects the longer time devoted to survey
work which, it is believed, is making a definite contribution towards the reduction of the
rat infestations referred to above. Business premises treated under contract for rats or
mice totalled 92 under private ownership (61 for rats and 31 for mice) with a further
38 under Local Authority ownership.
Rats in the Sewers

completely revised in 1972. Using the 18 municipal wards as units to ensure an even distribution, test baits were laid in approximately 20 manholes throughout each ward. A final total of 354 manholes were test baited and later re-examined for indications of rat activity.

The results were as follows : Estimated number of manholes in the Borough3,500
Manholes test baited354
Number of manholes showing rats present38
% of manholes showing rats present10.7%

The Surrey side of the Borough revealed greater sewer rat activity than the Mid'
dlesex side. In one ward in central Richmond 50% of the manholes baited showed some
activity. In two Surrey wards and four Middlesex wards no takes at all were recorded.
A programme of poisoning in the affected areas was undertaken immediately following
the test baiting. 131 manholes were poison baited on this occasion, and the process
was repeated at quarterly intervals throughout the year — 4 poison treatments in all.
The poison used was Fluoroacetamide.
Surface Rat Infestations
The mapping of every recorded rat infestation was continued through the year and
ultimately a noticeable change was apparent in the distribution of surface rat reports.
Hitherto there had appeared, not unexpectedly, concentrations of incidents in the
centres and older parts of the Borough with suburban and more modern areas of property
showing fewer indications. The trend revealed during 1972 was towards a more even
distribution of rat reports with few areas of the Borough now entirely escaping the
depredations of the vermin. No clear evidence of the reason for this change is available
but one factor may well be the continued demolition or renovation of older areas of
property in the urban centres. These operations reduce the harbourage available to rats
and at the. same time the suburban residential areas have registered a steady increase in
activity producing a levelling up pattern.
Surveys of defined areas for evidence of rats continued successfully during the year,
45 such areas having been subjected to this close scrutiny. Many of them consisted of
open lands, river banks, waste lands and allotments. Several rat infestations caused considerable
havoc amongst the crops on some allotments although part of the damage may
well have been due to rabbits.
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