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This system of control relies on adequate coverage of all hold spaces, forecastle head
spaces and tonnage hatches. Each baiting box contains about 1 lb of bait and the boxes are
fitted on both sides of the vessel in each compartment. The total number of boxes installed in
a ship varies with the size and the number of decks. Surveys of vessels subject to this form of
control indicate an average number of baiting points of seventy-five per ship.
After the initial installation, it is necessary for the baiting boxes to be regularly serviced
This is normally carried out by the servicing pest control contractor. Apart from replenishing all
boxes it the end of each voyage, many require replacement or repair, having been damaged during
cargo operations.
The shipowners engaged in trading with West African ports have always had a difficult problem
with rat re-infestations during each voyage. Hydrogen cyanide fumigation and later treatments
with sodium-fluoroacetate ("1080") were frequently necessary .The Warfarin control was first used in
February, 1962 and since then it has been extended to other ships. The rat populations have
been reduced considerably as a result. When vessels, fitted with these boxes, have been discharged
a few dead rats have been recovered frequently from the cargo. During this year, no
considerable rat infestation has been discovered in a "controlled ship."
Whilst other factors have contributed to the reduction of rat infestations on merchant vessels,
such as the modern rat proof construction of ships and more attention given to rodent control
measures at international seaports, the following figures indicate the progress made since continuous
control was introduced three years ago.

PERCENTAGE
OF SHIPS
REQUIRING
DERATTING
YEARS
WEST AFRICAN TRADE CAN BE CONVENIENTLY BROKEN DOWN INTO 3 SEPARATE UNITS
BASED ON MANAGEMENT - A. B.C. - THE ABOVE DIAGRAM REPRESENTS THEIR ADOPTION OF
WARFARIN CONTROL.
Effective Rodent Control with Sodium-Fluoroacetate
After much has been spoken, speculated upon and written about the toxity of this rodenticide
and about the stringent precautions that are imperative while dispensing it and in operational
techniques, it is stimulating to record the benefits derived from its careful application in this
Port.
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