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Eradication of bed bugs.—The Ministry of Health in Circular 1728
asks for information as to the action taken during the year for the eradication
of bed bugs, including particulars of the number of Council and other
houses found to be infested, the methods employed for disinfesting
houses, and for ensuring that the belongings of tenants are free from
vermin before removal to Council houses, and as to measures taken by
way of supervision or education of tenants to prevent infestation or
re-infestation after cleansing.
Infested Houses.—The number of Council houses (flats) found to be
infested was 15 and of other houses 221. All were disinfested, the
work in the case of the Council houses being carried out by the Council's
staff and in the others by the owners or occupiers.
Methods for disinfesting houses.—The methods in use for disinfesting
flats in the Council's dwellings include fumigation by sulphur, the removal
of woodwork and other projections on the walls, and the application of
a blow lamp to all angles and crevices in the walls, etc.; walls and floors
are washed with a liquid soap containing a strong solution of ammonia.
This treatment is followed by the complete painting or repainting of
all walls and woodwork in the flat. These methods have been found
to be the most effective in freeing infested flats and in preventing
re-infestation.
Methods for disinfesting furniture, etc.—The removal and fumigation
by hydrocyanic acid gas of the furniture, etc., of families to be rehoused
in the Council's dwellings and elsewhere is carried out by a contractor.
Details of the method employed have been given in previous reports. The
cyanide fumigating plant is situated at the Council's Monck Street Depot,
the furniture being brought there by the Council's or the contractor's
cyanide van in which the articles are treated.