ATTEMPT TO GET RID OF RATS AT BOROUGH DUMP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 1, 20 June 1949, Page 5

ATTEMPT TO GET RID OF RATS AT BOROUGH DUMP

Efforts to get rid of rats at- the Borough refuse tip were discussed with the Beacon by Mr A. R. Knights, Health Inspector, on Friday. Detailing the work done there recently, he said four sets of earthenware and iron pipes were set into the bank at places on the tip, but unfortunately the continued high tides and high water in the river affected two of the sets. The pipes Were blocked at the inner end with old tins, and then left for a day or two. Bait—rolled oats—was placed in all the pipes, and it was found that the rats were taking this freely. After a few days the poison— Antu—was mixed with the rolled oats and placed in the pipes and in some of the adjacent rat holes. The Inspector had to be out of town on the next morning and so was not able to observe at first hand the results. However the Borough Foreman-Engineer, Mr Molesworth, inspected the tip and saw numerous rats in a very dopey state. There is no doubt that many of the vermin would die in the burrows, which are numerous and extensive. It is not always possible to count the kill on a poisoning like this, but there is no doubt that the rat population of the Whakatane refuse tip has been considerably reduced. Another effort against the rats will be made in the near future, probably by poisoning and by gassing in the burrows. ■ l Owing to high water in the river for a considerable time, it has >not been possible adequately to deal with rats under the wharves, but vermin there will, receive their share of attention as soon as opportunity occurs. It is only by continued efforts in places like the refuse tip and wharves that the number of rats will be reduced, Mr Knights said, and efforts must of course be,made in all buildings, where rats can possibly nest and 1 breed, and where they feed and damage foodstuffs etc.