View report page

54
Static water sites, ponds, ditches, etc., were sprayed with DDT
and in certain instances ' Gammexane ' powder was used.
Offensive deposits, such as old mattresses, dead animals, food
waste, etc., deposited on vacant and bombed sites are an occasional
source of nuisance, in these cases the articles are sprayed with DDT
and either burned on the site or removed and destroyed centrally.
The site is again sprayed.
Food shops and cafes are difficult subjects to deal with and
great care has to be exercised in the use of DDT and ' Gammexane '
but these premises were treated with gocd results.
Disinfestation of Verminous Premises.—DDT in kerosene
continues to prove the most effective vermicidal agent in dealing
with verminous houses.
During the year the Sanitary Inspectors dealt with 127 cases
of dirty and verminous houses compared with 176 for 1952. The
Disinfestation staff sprayed 380 rooms and contents as compared
with 398 last year.
In 6 cases the bedding and effects were removed to the Council's
Disinfecting Station for steam disinfection.
Other pests, such as cockroaches, ants, moths, earwigs and
wasps, were again troublesome and 313 houses comprising 840 rooms
were treated effectively with DDT, as compared with 615 last
year. This service is more and more appreciated by residents of the
Borough.
Pharaoh's Ants.—This pest has given rise to a number of complaints
being received from two of the large hospitals in the Borough. The
sources of infestation in each case were never found and this resulted
in a great deal of work being carried out in almost inaccessible
places. Spraying DDT was found to be only partially effective.
The pipe ducts under the flooring in the corridors were treated and
also the cellars and similar underground areas. During the cam
paign Steam Flies were discovered and much good resulted from the
effort. Frequent similar treatments have been carried out with
success.
Public Baths and Washhouses.—Greenwich is in the happy
position of having a modern establishment for its Public Baths and
Washhouses, situated in Trafalgar Road, and covering an area of
1J acres. Originally there were 3 large swimming baths, 74 ladies
and gents' slipper baths, medicated vapour and foam baths,
washhouses and laundry, etc.