London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lambeth 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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106
PEST CONTROL
RODENT CONTROL
The trend for the number of rat infestations, both above and below ground,
to slowly decrease each year was continued in 1972.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, concerned with the increase
in the number of mice infestations over the past few years and the growing
resistance of Warfarin, requested all local authorities in the Greater London area to
carry out a survey of premises to ascertain the size of the problem. The results of
this survey are awaited.
For the first time for some years the number of mice infestations in Lambeth
did not increase and may have now reached a peak in the Borough.
Comparative figures are shown below
| 1971 | 1972 | |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 4,340 | 4,260 |
| Investigations | 6,017 | 5,942 |
| Re-visits | 10,043 | 11,682 |
| Baitings | 8,111 | 7,751 |
| Rat Infestations | 871 | 793 |
| Mice Infestations | 3,468 | 3,391 |
| Drain Tests | 34 | 23 |
Treatment in domestic premises is carried out free of charge, but a charge
is made for commercial premises and owners of the latter are encouraged to employ
private servicing companies to ease the demand on the Council's staff.
Treatment of the sewers for rats is carried out in conjunction with the
Directorate of Civil Engineering and Public Services, and involves the baiting of
some 3,000 manholes.
PIGEON CONTROL
Flocks of feral pigeons which reach proportions causing a nuisance are
reduced as far as practicable by a private contractor working under the general
direction of the Public Health Inspector.