There aren't enough night rat killers (NRK) in the city! There are only 44 of them under Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation now. So, to check the ever-growing number of rats, the civic body has urged citizens to follow its 4-D formula, which it assures, would ensure that rodents don't encroach on their dwelling places. The civic administration swung into action after BMC was flooded with complaints. Dna, in its December 26 edition, had reported how rat menace had been troubling people no end.
Where's the menace maximum?
The city area. In Mahim, NRKs killed 30 rats between 1am and 3am on Monday. Starting with Mahim, they have begun killing rats in the city area which has the biggest concentration of rat population. Rats not only damage household properties and edibles, they also chew up cables, telephone and broadband wires.
Irfan Machiwala, a Mahim resident who has repeatedly complained to the ward office, said in the wee hours on Monday, NRKs killed at least 30 rats in his area. "We desperately wanted the issue to be addressed. Rodents are a threat to even footpaths; they create burrows in foundations of old buildings, posing danger to our lives," Machiwala said.
Residents are furious that authorities take too long to address their problems. They have to make repeated visits to the local ward office and keep requesting officials to set rat traps.
What are the 4 Ds?
Rajan Naringrekar, Insecticide officer, BMC said: "If citizens follow the four Ds, they will certainly have much respite from rat threat. Deny entry, Deny shelter, Deny food and Destruction (which BMC does)."
People shouldn't leave any scope for rats to enter their homes, buildings and premises. Keep your premises clean; no holes should be left unattended. Rats make burrows in holes.
Secondly, rats shouldn't be ignored and allowed to take shelter in your premises for long. This happens if they keep getting food in some way or the other. Food is the primary reason apart from shelter that rats are in search of. Wherever they get easy supply of food, rodents thrive. So deny them food.
"The fourth D is the job of civic authorities. NRKs kill rats by baiting them with poison-laced food or kill them using sticks," said Naringrekar.
How's fourth D implemented?
Pesticide officer of G-North, said: "We are conducting burrow census; it will be completed by January end. This will help us track live burrows where rodents keep coming back. On an average there are 5,000-6,000 burrows in G-North area alone. When we come across a burrow, we put at least two tablets containing three grams of Aluminium Phosphine into it and close it. Once the tablet comes in contact with moisture, it starts emitting toxic gases, suffocating rats and killing them."
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