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Steps were also taken to deal with offensive deposits on bombed
and vacant sites. Such deposits included things like old mattresses,
dead animals and food debris. Where possible, mattresses and
other combustible materials were burned on the site or collected and
destroyed centrally, but the public seem to be unaware that this
Authority, upon request, will collect and destroy unwanted mattresses
and bedding and, hence, some are inclined to dump such
articles surreptitiously on vacant spaces.
Rodent Control.—During the year the Rodent Control
scheme, as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,
has been continued. A total of 1,960 investigations were made
and infestation was found to exist in 536 dwelling houses, 25
factories and warehouses, 25 shops, 4 hospitals and 10 bombed
sites. There were 8 major infestations, 6 of them caused by the
brown rat and 2 by the black rat. Periodical treatments were
carried out in each of these 8 infestations which occurred in large
industrial undertakings. Throughout the year there were only 36
cases of re-infestation after treatment.
The monthly average of complaints received was 49, as compared
with 51 last year, and members of the public continued to give
early notice of infestation.
Bombed sites and dumps, providing suitable harbourage, have
been test-baited and where found necessary, treatments have been
given.
Arising out of the investigations 65 drainage defects were
discovered. Block treatments were carried out in 11 areas, involving
285 premises.
The largest problem has again been the premises of Messrs.
Robinson's Mills, Deptford Bridge, where infestation by both brown
and black rats was particularly heavy. These premises are situated
on the River front where grain is regularly unloaded from barges
and, from experience, this has been proved to be the principal
source of infestation. During the period under review these premises
have been visited each evening from Monday to Friday inclusive
for the purpose of trapping, by means of which over 2,000 rats have
been destroyed. In view of the nature of the work carried out in
the Mills, baiting and poisoning is not possible inside the buildings,
but such methods were employed at many points externally with
good results.
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, came into
force on 31st March, 1950, and it superseded the old Rats and Mice
Destruction Act. This new Act somewhat extends our powers in