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(ii) 'the generation of hydro cyanic acid gas by various methods. For the
destruction of rats a concentration of 0.2 per cent of HCN is required with a
minimum of 2 hours contacts If the fumugation is for the destruction of insect
life, bed bugs, cockroaches etc., two or three times the concentration is employed
and the exposure increased up to twelve or even twenty-four hours, according to the
time available.
(iii) "1080" and "Warfarin". The employment of the new rodenticides "1080"
and "Warfarin" ware referred to in the Report for 1950.
The employment of "1080" has ceased to be experimental and is now used
regularly throughout the docks with highly satisfactory results.
Its use in ships is still in the experimental stage but there is every
indication that its use in ships is equally satisfactory to its use ashore.
A certain number of ships have been deratised by this method in
preference to the use of cyanide, resulting in a considerable saving in time and
cost to the shipowner.
Satisfactory results have been obtained from the use of "Warfarin" but a
suitable bait, particularly in granaries, with which to mix the poison which rats
will take continuously in preference to the grain or other form of cereal on which
they are normally feeding, has yet to be found.
(iv) Trapping. Trapping is seldom employed save for the destruction of
isolated rats which have not yet established themselves.
(b) PREMISES IN THE VICINITY OP THE DOCKS AND QUAYS.
Rodent Control is now done under the Rodent Control Scheme of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries referred to elsewhere in this Report.
4. Measures taken for the detection of rat prevalence in ships and on shore -
Examination by Inspectors and Rodent Operators as already described.
5. Rat-proofing.
(a) To what extent are Docks, Wharves, Warehouses etc., rat-proof?
During the war years nothing vas done to render the dock premises
rat-proof, indeed many of the wliarves and warehouses suffered severely from enemy
action but when the rebuilding of these premises is possible, every effort will
be made to see that the recommendations made before the war are carried into effect.
(b) Action taken to extend rat-proofing (i) in ships and (ii) on shore -
This action is being actively pursued as and when post-war conditions
make this possible.
THE PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS (APPLICATION TO SHIPPING)
ORDER, 1951.
This Order which comes into operation on the 1st October 1951 applies to
certain classes of ships and harbour craft the measures laid down in the
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, applicable to shore premises.
The classes of vessels to -which the Order applies are as follows
1. Coastal vessels.
2. Harbour craft of all kinds, including
lighters, tugs, grain elevators etc.
Excluded from the Order are foreign-going ships which are required under
the International Sanitary Convention 1926 as applied to the United Kingdom by
the Port Sanitary Regulations, 1933 to ships entering ports in the United
Kingdom to be in possession of an international deratting certificate or exemption
from deratting certificate.
In substance the Order requires that the owner or occupier of vessels and
harbour craft shall give to the local authority forthwith notice in writing
if it comes to his knowledge that rats or mice are living on or resorting to
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