The Menace Of Rats

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1943, Page 5

The Menace Of Rats

Reports from almost everywhere lately indicate that rats have become a greater menace than ever, 'and that the job of keeping them in check is becoming a real problem. Not only are rats extraordinarily destructive, but they are a menace to health through their capacity to spread such diseases as dysentery and food poisoning and possibly a for mof joundice. Evidence shows that in New Zealand rats are on the increase. It is going to require the co-operation oi everyone to keep them under some sort of control —housekeepers, shopkeepers, warehousemen. The seriousness of the position is underlined by the fact that one pair of rats may. within nine months, produce as many as 880 of a progeny. Both preventive and destructive measures are necessary. All food supplies must be adequately protected, and all waste food and refuse must be kept in containers with close-fit-ting lids. AH refuse around the place must be destroyed; rat burrows should be filled up with concrete and broken glass; powdered glass‘ along a rat run is a deterrent. It is advisable to change your methods, as the rat is .cunning. Use dogs or cats cr traps or poison, and wherever there is extensive burrowing fumigation should be tried. The local authority will be able to suggest the steps that should be taken, and in all probability will be able to provide the poison.