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38
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949
This Act gives the Council power to require steps to be taken to
eradicate and, where possible, to prevent infestation by rats and
mice. These duties are carried out by the pest control officer
assisted by four rodent operatives.
In the year under review, a work study programme was undertaken
in relation to the pest control section, and as a result of the
findings, all operatives are now mobile. Consequently, whereas in
the past operatives were dependent upon public transport to get
about their areas, they are now able to give a much more efficient
and speedy service to the public.
All infestations coming to light, whether by complaint or otherwise,
are systematically investigated and appropriate action taken.
Where the cause of the trouble is obviously a defective drain or
other structural defects in the building, the owner is called upon
to effect the necessary repairs. This aspect of the work involves
close co-operation between the rodent control staff and the public
health inspectors.
During the year, 3,408 complaints of infestation were received,
in respect of which a total of 9,789 visits were made by the staff.
Again, more than two-thirds of these complaints related to the
presence of mice, whereas those concerning rats have again decreased.
This increase in the number of complaints about mice is
one which is causing concern not only to this Authority but also
to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and in this
connection, special surveys are to be carried out in 1972 to enable
the true size of the picture to be seen.
Many complaints of mice have been received from new blocks
of Council flats. It is fairly obvious here, however, that even one
mouse travelling through the various ducts and along the various
pipes connecting the flats could cause as many as 50 complaints to
be received. In addition, with 50 or more tenants all stating they
have seen mice, it does give the erroneous impression that the place
is overrun with mice, whereas, in actual fact, the infestation is
very small.
In addition to the work of rodent control, the pest control officer
continued to carry out evening "forays" on pigeons roosting
under railway bridges in the Borough. These bridges are a
favourite breeding ground and by attacking the pigeons at their
roosting sites profitable results have been obtained. 980 birds and
266 eggs being taken during the year.
Offensive trades
There is one establishment in the Borough at which the
scheduled offensive trade of fat-melting is carried on. The firm
concerned has been established for many years and the trade is
conducted satisfactorily.