Rodent control
Rodent control both aboard vessels and within
premises in the port area has always been of major importance
in preventing the spread of rat-borne disease from
foreign shores. Rats spread diseases such as
Plague,
Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease) and food
poisoning such as
Salmonella. In addition rats can cause
significant damage to food cargoes, food premises and
equipment.
Mice can be a problem on river pleasure craft, especially those
that are permanently moored. They gain access via gangways,
services ducting and pipe work and continue to live and breed
on board, spreading dirt and disease wherever they go, damaging the
structure, food and food packaging, contaminating food preparation
surfaces, utensils and equipment.
Insects
Cockroaches can be a problem on some merchant
vessels because there are lots of spaces on ships which are
hard to access to treat on a ship, including behind and
below equipment, in voids and ducting and between bulkheads and
deckheads.
Cockroaches spread diseases such as Salmonella and other food
poisoning bacteria as well as being a potential vector for viral
infections. They multiply into large colonies very quickly given
warm, dark, damp conditions and a ready supply of food. Their
treatment and eradication is essential to improving and maintaining
good public health standards on board ships.
Further advice on shipboard pest control can be obtained from
the London Port Health Authority via the
contacts page, from pest control
companies, whose expert staff will be able to assist, or from
the
Department of Environmental Health Pest Control Team.