POLOKO TAU
AS THE carbon monoxide spread into a network of burrows, a mischief of rats tried to escape, but none made it to safety alive.
A few rodents made it to the one or two burrow openings that had been left unblocked on purpose, but they could be seen dropping their heads slowly and closing their tiny round eyes as they succumbed to the lethal gas fumes.
Yesterday’s outing probably counts as one of the more successful for the City of Joburg’s pest control units.
The campaign in Orlando East, Soweto, yesterday, entered its second day.
The 90-day operation started in Alexandra last week and moved on Monday to Soweto, where it started on an unpromising note due to the cold, wet weather.
The council’s pest controllers targeted illegal dumping sites and other areas of infestation, where they used carbon monoxide fumes to gas the rats in the burrows.
The teams seemed to enjoy themselves and their demeanour indicated they were pleased at every haul of dead rats pulled out of the burrows.
They dug out soil, debris and turned over large rocks just to get to the rodents.
They pulled dead rats, one at a time, dangling them by their long tails. They ranged in size from tiny ones to huge specimens.
“They live in families like human beings – that’s why you see them in different sizes,” said one pest controller.
“The big ones are probably parents, while others are children – so it means we’re putting a stop to further production here.”
Dead rats were dropped on a fruit box, with more than 20 counted by lunch time yesterday just in one spot, an illegal dumping site behind a filling station close to the Orlando East train station.
Meanwhile, hawkers went on with their lives, oblivious to the fight declared against rats in the background yesterday.
Several pest-controlling teams were spread across the township and officials believe more rats had been wiped out elsewhere.
The team later moved to the nearby United Congregational Church of SA, behind which there is another illegal dumping site.
More rats were gassed and removed inside and outside the churchyard.
Orlando East residents were given poison bait to place in strategic areas around their properties and were urged to support the city’s initiative to eradicate the rodents.
“The City of Johannesburg cannot do it alone, but we need a stronger partnership with the communities to stop illegal dumping and littering. People must take responsibility for their refuse,” said councillor Nonceba Molwele, a member of the mayoral committee for health and human development.
“Illegal dumping and the improper disposal of food and waste material are the primary causes of rodent infestation.
“It attracts rats and provides them with a comfortable environment to nest and (to) continue breeding,” Molwele added.
Residents have been asked to contribute to the battle against rats by taking a number of practical steps including discontinuing the practice of illegal dumping.
They were also urged to stop pouring dirty dishwater into catch pits or open spaces and to keep their dustbins closed.
Other areas targeted for the eradication of rats are Ivory Park and Orange Farm, where the pest controllers were expected to take their rodent-eradication programme in the coming weeks.