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61
The treatment of house refuse in the dustbins was carried out
by arrangement with the Borough Engineer, a small quantity of
' Gammexane ' powder being sprinkled into the dustbins at each
weekly collection. The dust chutes in the numerous blocks of flats
received weekly treatment with ' Gammexane ' powder by anti-fly
personnel, as soon as possible after dust collection.
Static water sites, ditches, etc., were sprayed with either D.D.T.
in Kerosene or Malariol, and in certain instances dusted with
' Gammexane ' powder.
Vacant and bombed sites are regularly inspected for offensive
deposits in the nature of dead animals and food waste. It is found
that these items are generally placed away from the public view
and can become a potent source of fly breeding if not detected.
Other deposits include mattresses, discarded clothing and sundry
items of furniture, etc. Deposits which by reason of organic substance
allow fly breeding are sprayed and removed for destruction
centrally and the immediate area sprayed and subjected to follow
up inspection. Other items are either treated and disposed of
centrally, or burned on the spot.
During the year, 70 requests were received for the collection
and disposal of unwanted bedding, furniture and miscellaneous
household effects. In each instance the items were sprayed as a
precautionary measure prior to removal.
Disinfestation of Verminous Premises.—D.D.T. in kerosene
continues to prove the most effective vermicidal agent in dealing
with verminous premises. During the year the Public Health
Inspectors dealt with 174 cases of dirty and verminous premises
compared with 144 in 1956. The disinfestation staff sprayed 427
rooms and contentsas compared with 270 last year. In 3 cases
the bedding and effects were removed to the Council's disinfecting
station for treatment by steam or formaldehyde.
Other pests such as wasps, ants, earwigs, silverflsh, moths, etc.
were again troublesome, and 293 houses comprising 1,263 rooms were
treated effectively with D.D.T. as compared with 322 and 887
respectively last year.
Australian Spider Beetle.—Ptinus tectns. Investigations following
a complaint from a confectioner that the outer covers of cardboard
cartons and their contents were deteriorated and covered with
a larval webbing, revealed a severe infestation of ptinus tectus in
the store room.