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79
Eradication of Bed Bugs.
The question of the best means of dealing with bugs has exercised
the minds of public health workers for a long time. L,atterly the
subject has come into considerable prominence. So far as old wornout
properties are concerned, there is no known method that can be
applied, without serious risk to human life, that will ensure a complete
and effectual eradication of this pest. In connection with the development
of large municipal housing estates in various parts of the country,
special efforts have been made to prevent their infestation.

The procedure now adopted in the Public Health Department
following a complaint of bug infestation is as follows:—(i) the complaint
is entered in the Register of Complaints, (ii) the Sanitary
Inspector visits the premises to verify the complaint and having
inspected the structure for defective architraves, etc., serves an
intimation notice where necessary. He also arranges, when desirable,
for (a) the removal of the bedding, etc., for treatment at the Disinfecting
Station, (b) the free disinfestation of the premises by the
Council's Disinfecting Staff with a solution of cresylic acid in kerosene,
the strength of the cresylic acid in kerosene being 3 per sent. Should
a recurrence occur, subsequent disinfestation is done by the occupiers.
For this purpose tenants are given, upon application, bottles of the
preparation referred to, and they may purchase from the Public
Health Department hand sprayers at a cost of Is. In suitable cases
no charge is made for these sprayers. A dilute solution of orthodichlor-benzene
had been employed until a memorandum from the
Ministry of Health advised that its use was not unaccompanied with
danger, and subsequently Vermicine (a proprietary product) was used
for some time.
For a long while it has been acknowledged that 100 per cent.
efficiency can be obtained only if HCN is used, whilst a concentrated