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67
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 regular 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, surreptitiously dumped on vacant spaces
because the public, in the main, are unaware that this authority will,
upon request, collect and destroy such articles.
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.
There is no doubt that since the introduction of the anti-fly
scheme, control of fly and mosquito breeding has been effectively
maintained and succeeding years have shown a progressive reduction
in the number of complaints notified to this department.
Disinfestation of Verminous Premises.—D.D.T. in kerosene
continues to give good results in dealing with verminous premises
when alternated with other vermicides to counteract the development
of organismal resistance.
During the year the department dealt with 88 cases of dirty
and verminous premises compared with 123 in 1959. The disinfestation
staff sprayed 256 rooms and contents as compared with 338
last year. In 8 cases the bedding and effects were removed to the
Council's disinfecting station for treatment by steam or formaldehyde.
Of other pests which necessitated the treatment of 539 houses
comprising 1,592 rooms and 106 external areas, the following
initiated the greater number of complaints:—
Ants. Ants carry no disease but their presence in human foodstuffs
is objectionable.