RATS IN TOWN

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20282, 26 August 1937, Page 3

RATS IN TOWN

MENACE NOT SERIOUS. SOME SHOPS HAVE INFLUX. At a time when the scourge of rats has reached the proportions of a fairly serious menace in many of the large towns in New Zealand, Hamilton can lake pride in the fortunate situation that the spread of the vermin has been kept well within bounds. At the present time it would seem likely that the demolition of the Commercial Hotel, which has been standing for almost half a century, would set large numbers of rats scattering for new shelter, but the inconvenience caused to the business houses has not been serious, and the breakers at work on the old building report that the structure has been clear of the vermin. Each year there is a certain amount of loss in Hamilton due to destruction caused by rats, but it is many years since they caused alarm in the town. Control methods, especially those, of private individuals, have been successful. and to -day the town Is comparatively clean. Some years ago the old Commercial Hotel was invaded by a large number of rats, which caused considerable damage and which required fighting for -some time. The clean-up must have been successful, for very few nests have been discovered as the work of pulling down proceeds. A dog wandering round the hotel has been seen by the workmen to catch only one rat during the last fortnight. Some of the business houses in the vicinity of the hotel have found that rats have been more prevalent on their premises since Hie demolition work on the old building commenced, but in no case has the menace been reported ;is serious. The influx of tlie vermin may not be coming from the old hotel, ns it is quite likely that the recent, cold spell, which has coincided with the work, has encouraged the rats to seek the warmth of shops. One business man in Victoria Street in the same block as Ihe hotel has had stock damaged by rats during the past few weeks to a greater extent than usual, but the loss has not reached serious proportions.

Poisoning Campaigns. Another business house was invaded by an augmented army of the pest in recent weeks, but a poisoning campaign was at once undertaken, with Hie result that the menace was abated In reasonable proportions. Vcry little Ibis case, but a considerable amount of poison is slili being used. Res la u ran Is always attract a greater number of rats than any other premises. hut in no case in Hamilton have Ihe caling-houses been more Mian usually troubled during recent weeks. Drily an occasional report regarding Hie rat menace has been received from firms by Hie chief inspector of the Hamilton Borough Council, Mr J. W. Lewi- who slated lo a Waikato Times reporter lhal it was common to find more rats in the town during the winter months, as they came from Hie river banks to seek extra warmth and prefer!ion from the cold. The inspector makes frequent inspections of premises to keep the menace w>il under control, and he has always foun.l that shopkeepers do all they can to prevent Ihe spread of rats. M«- Lewis said if people always kept foodstuffs well covered I hey would have little 1 rouble from rats, for the vermin would nol linger on premises where they were unable to obtain sufficient nourishment. The Hamilton Borough Council has made poison available free lo people troubled with rats, hut Hie number of applications for the concession during the last twelve months lias been very f ew indeed.