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233
Public Conveniences
Ist January, 1968, saw the inception of a new system of manning
most of the public conveniences throughout the Borough.
Under the new scheme only five were left manned as before.
The remainder were divided into groups to be opened, cleaned and
closed by mobile teams travelling by small vans, each team consisting
of either a male or female driver together with a member of
the opposite sex.
Opening and closing times were standardised so far as was
possible."
Flies and Mosquitoes
During the year 39 complaints of flies were received, resulting
in treatments being carried out to 36 rooms and 25 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
Dieldren Concentrate continues to give good results in dealing
with verminous premises.
During the year the department dealt with 75 cases of dirty
and verminous premises, and the disinfestation staff sprayed 200
rooms and contents. In one case 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 length in
order to obtain a sufficiency for their community.
In the main, the 141 complaints received concerned either the
black garden ant (Lasius niger) or the yellow meadow ant
(L.fiavis), the workers of which will gain access to houses through
cracks in the walls or floors, over sills or through window frames