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DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
Facilities for steam disinfection and disinfestation, and for the personal cleansing of verminous
persons are provided for at the Disinfecting Station, North Circular Road, N.3.
During the year 582 articles were treated, some of which were articles of clothing for dispatch
abroad to countries which require a certificate that this has been done.
Verminous conditions of premises and persons are fewer nowadays than ever before, but occasional
ones are still to be found. The treatment of females and young children is done under supervision
of a woman attendant specially employed.
Requests for advice and assistance in dealing with insect pests increase in number and range
over a wide variety. No less than 738 were in connection with wasps. Many of these insects are of
no public health significance, but steps are taken to assist all enquiries. One must again express
thanks to the Director of the Department of Entomology of the Natural History Museum for the helpful
co-operation of his experts in the identification of numerous insects.
Because of complaints from some residents of the depredations of the common squirrel, the Council
decided to obtain traps and for a fee to hire them out upon request.
"Wild" or "feral" pigeons are now a widespread pest, and in one area steps were, upon the
request of residents, taken to reduce their numbers.
Squirrels and pigeons are held in sentimental regard by many of the public, but often by wellmeant
but misplaced kindness the invasion of residential districts by these creatures is encouraged.
A charge is made for disinfection and disinfestation, with the exception of terminal disinfection
carried out after a notifiable disease and the cleansing of verminous people.