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220
Public Conveniences
There are 29 conveniences for men and a similar number for
women. In all conveniences water closets are available without
charge and, wherever practicable, free washing facilities are provided,
with paper towels."
Flies and Mosquitoes
During the year 27 complaints of flies were received, resulting
in treatments being carried out to 65 rooms and 13 external areas.
On request from the Borough and Greater London Council
Housing Departments, dust chutes and containers in the multistorey
flats are treated with Gammexane.
Disinfestation of Verminous Premises
Dieldrin Concentrate continues to give good results in dealing
with verminous premises.
During the year the department dealt with 104 cases of dirty
and verminous premises, and the disinfestation staff sprayed 384
rooms and contents. In 3 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 rooms and
external areas, the following initiated the greater number of complaints.
Ants. Ants carry no disease but their presence in human foodstuffs
is objectionable.
Foods of a relatively high sugar content are particularly attractive
to ants and the insects are prepared to go to great lengths in
order to obtain a sufficiency for their community.
In the main, the 101 complaints received concerned either the
black garden ant (Lasius niger) or the yellow meadow ant (L.flavis),
the workers of which will gain access to houses through cracks in
the walls or floors, over sills or through window frames in search of
food. Ninety-four treatments involving 211 rooms and 66 external
areas were carried out to combat the reported nuisances.
One of the commonest of ants, the very small red House or
Pharaoh's ant (Monomorium pharaonis) was also the cause of a
number of complaints.
This species, being of tropical origin, is incapable of breeding
in England without artificial heat. A temperature of approximately
80°F is considered to be ideal for its propagation and ipso facto it
is found infesting bakehouses, restaurants, hospitals and houses,
especially in larders and kitchens and nests may be found behind
wall plasters, behind pipes or ovens, in heating ducts and under floor
coverings and foundations.