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(c) "1080" and "Warfarin". The employment of "1080" has been used regularly throughout
the docks for some time with highly satisfactory results both on shore and in ships. An
increasing number of ships have been deratted by this method in preference to the use of
cyanide, resulting in a considerable saving of time and cost to the shipowner.
Although satisfactory results have been obtained from the use of "Warfarin" a suitable bait
has yet to be found, particularly in granaries, with which to mix the poison, so that rats will
take it continuously in preference to grain and other forms of cereal on which they are normally
feeding.
(d) Trapping. Trapping is seldom employed save for the destruction of isolated rats which
have escaped a major poisoning operation or which have not yet established themselves.
(e) Methyl Bromide. This is a very effective and lethal fumigant which has been used in
this Port as an insecticide, particularly in the dry fruit industry. It has considerable
penetrating powers and is not difficult to disperse after an operation. It is also possible
to use this gas as a rodenticide and where there is an infestation of rodents and
insects the combined problem can be solved with one operation. One such operation has
been so successfully carried out aboard a large freighter that the result entitled the ship
to an International Deratting Certificate — the first to be issued in this Port. Methyl
Bromide was also used successfully under a "tent" to eradicate a particularly persistent
mouse colony in one of the dock grain warehouses.
The following are the names of the firms approved for carrying out the deratting of ships:—
Messrs. Associated Fumigators Ltd. Messrs. Fumigation Services Ltd.
Messrs. London Fumigation Co. Ltd. Messrs. Ridpests Ltd.
Messrs. Scientex (Southern) Ltd. Messrs. Insecta Laboratories Ltd.
RODENT CONTROL ON LIGHTERS
The control of rodents on lighters is of major importance in the comprehensive rodent control
scheme for the Port of London, for it is by transporting rodents from place to place inside and
outside the Port area that rodent-borne diseases could be communicable on a major scale.
The suppression of rats and mice on a very large number of lighters was carried out successfully
throughout the year. The lighterage industry have again been most co-operative and given
the Port Health Authority excellent support; indeed, it is only due to the ever increasing assistance
and support from the industry that the high standard of rodent control on these craft is
maintained.
Rat-proofing measures have been adopted by most of the lighterage firms, and although there
are still some shortcomings in this respect, improvements continue to be made as co-operation
becomes even closer.
The method of rodent destruction to be employed on lighters is determined after initial inspection,
one of the following methods being employed — sulphur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide,
methyl bromide and poison baits.
As a routine check and in compliance with international requirements, specimens of rats
caught are sent to the Central Public Health Laboratory for bacteriological examination.
Records for 1958 include:—
Numbers of lighters inspected 2,714
Numbers without evidence of rodents 2,388
Numbers with negligible evidence of rodents 228
Number of lighters treated for rodents 98
Number treated voluntarily for insects by owners with Methyl Bromide,
which would also exterminate any rodents present 110
Total number of dead rodents recovered from lighters after treatment 797
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS (APPLICATION TO SHIPPING) ORDERS 1951-56
Since 1951 the Port Health Authority has been issuing Rodent Control Certificates to coastwise
shipping as provided for by the terms of the Prevention of Damage by Pests (Application to
Shipping) Order, 1951.
During the year 1958 the Port Health Authority issued 98 such Certificates.
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