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110
PIGEON CONTROL
Flocks of feral pigeons which reach proportions causing a considerable
nuisance are reduced as far as practicable by a private contractor working under
the general direction of the Public Health Inspectors.
The pigeons are almost entirely dependent on members of the public as
there are few natural sources of food in Lambeth.
CONTROL OF FOXES
Reports of foxes being seen in the Streatham and Norwood areas are
increasing but as yet no evidence exists that they constitute a health hazard or
serious nuisance. It may become necessary however for some form of control
and in the event of rabies occurring in the locality immediate measures would
be essential.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
At Wanless Road and on Domestic Premises
Disinfection is less used in the prevention of spread of disease than it was
formerly, but the disinfestation of insects of many kinds now forms a large part
of the work of the Disinfecting Staff.
Of the parasitic insects, bed bugs required 349 visits, fleas 188 and lice 28,
while wasps (218), cockroaches (160) and ants (129) were the most common of
the household pests.
Other insects dealt with included various beetles, mites and maggots, and
the minute Pharoah's Ant, infestations of which are extremely difficult to
eradicate.
The staff are not infrequently called upon to do their work in conditions
which are decidely unpleasant. Apart from the merely vetminous, premises,
fouled with excrement, human or animal, and sites of murder, suicide and
persons found dead after a period of time, are often nauseating to an extreme,
and it is usually the Disinfectors' unenviable task to take the first steps in any
clearing operation.
At the station, 12,721 articles were put through the stoving apparatus,
including 8,605 items from the Tuberculosis Hostel and 366 books from Public
Libraries.