DEMAND FOR RAT POISON IS NOT SO GOOD AS EXPECTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 83, 6 May 1949, Page 5

DEMAND FOR RAT POISON IS NOT SO GOOD AS EXPECTED

Discussing the current anti-rat campaign, the Health Inspector, Mr A. R. Knights, told the Beacon yesterday that, for a community programme, poisoning is the best possible means of destroying rats. In the present campaign a reliable poison which has a high specific toxicity for rats and in doses recommended is practically non-poisonous to man and domestic animals, is being used.

Though supplies of the poison were available at the Borough office and the fact had been widely publicised, the demand for it so far has not been as brisk as the authorities would like to see it, suggesting a certain apathy towards the campaign. He said that was to be regretted, as the importance of the effort could hardly be over-stressed. How To Poison In poisoning the same process should be observed as for trapping. Plain bait (bait without poison) should be laid for several nights un - til it is being freely taken, then the poison should be added to kill as many rats as possible in the first attempt, and before suspicion is aroused. After an attack the rats should be left alone for a week or two, then prebaiting should begin again. When this ground bait is being freely taken another mass attack with poison should be made. A combined and co-ordinated effort is essential.

Efforts should first be directed towards preventing rats from gaining access to premises. An inspection of the building may reveal openings which rats may pass, and often by carrying out minor repairs a building can be made reasonably rat proof. The next thing to do is to ensure that premises are not providing a feeding place for rats. With a little care, it is possible to ensure that foodstuffs are protected and refuse is not allowed to remain accessible to rats. In nearly every case, something can he. done to make life less easy for the rat, and consequently to discourage his tenancy of premises and to make it difficult for him to maintain a family. Finally a determined effort should be made to kill all rats by hunting, trapping, and laying poison continuously and systematically. Enthusiasm, keen observation, great patience and attention to detail, are necessary for success in rat destruction; it is not merely a question of buying a trap, baiting and setting it close against a rat hole, and leaving it there in the hope that some half-witted rat may stroll into it.