[Report 1961] / Medical Officer of Health, Sunderland County Borough.

  • Sunderland (Tyne and Wear, England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1961
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1961] / Medical Officer of Health, Sunderland County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/132 (page 14)
    arrangements are concluded for the use of Methyl-Bromide in all cargo spaces and any compartments showing signs in infestation by rodents. The concentration used is generally 16 ozs. of Methyl-Bromide per 1,000 cubic feet of free air space and advice received indicates that this concentration is also lethal to rodents. Careful search is made after fumigation but so far no signs of live rodents have been found on vessels so treated. A Deratting Certificate has, therefore, been issued in each instance. Fumigations are carried out by commercial contractors vdiose staff are trained to comply with the Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation of Ships) Regulations, 1951. Where vessels are examined for the purpose of issuing Deratting or Deratting '^Exemption** Certificates, any harbourages, runs, gnawings, defective bulkheads giving access to stores etc,, are brought to the notice of the Master or Owner, and practi¬ cable suggestions made for remedying same. Wherever it is necessary instructions are given to see that all pipes entering compartments are effectually fitted with collars, and steel flashings are fitted in places where rodents may possibly enter to eliminate any possible source of nesting. Drainage holes in the holds are given careful attention, as these may be of a nature and size to afford easy ingress and provide a means of future infestation. Deratting of Vessel under Construction: The builders of a vessel under construction reported that part of the vessel was showing signs of infestation by rats. An inspection carried out by the Rodent Operator revealed slight signs of infestation in the compartments aft and there¬ fore a number of poison baits were laid. The attention of the builders was drawn to the food scraps and tea leaves left in these compartments by their workpeople w^ich were attracting the rodents and they were advised to make every endeavour to prevent any foodstuffs being so deposited, Trapping and Laying of Poison Baits. Premises in the Vicinity of Docks or Qpays. Trapping and the laying of poison baits are the only methods used.