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DISINFESTATION
PERSONS
As there were no facilities in the Borough for the disinfesting of persons nor for the treatment
of scabies, arrangements were made with the Health Department of Greenwich London Borough
for this treatment to be undertaken at their Cleansing Station in Plumstead.
There has been negligible need for the treatment of cases of scabies or lousiness. One case of
scabies and the family contacts were treated in 1967 and another in 1969. One case of crab-lice
was treated in 1967.
PREMISES
Many requests for advice and/or treatment have been received and dealt with. When necessary
reference is made to museums and other specialist sources for the identification of specimens.
Among the cases dealt with are infestations by fleas and bed bugs, and on average 27 of the former
and 20 of the latter are treated each year by the department staff using residual insecticides in
liquid or powder form.
In 1968 complaints of infestations by cockroaches in recently erected houses adjacent to land
used for privately owned industrial controlled tipping operations were received from a number of
householders. The houses are some distance from the actual tipping faces. After full investigation
of these complaints, the Council undertook, in conjunction with the occupiers of some 70 houses,
the treatment of garages, loft spaces, etc. with residual insecticidal dust. Advice on the most
suitable forms of treatment was received from officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries &
Food who visited the site on two occasions. Occupiers were advised to continue to be on the lookout
for and to report any further signs of infestation so that further treatment could be recommended
or advice given if necessary.
FOX, PIGEON AND WASP CONTROL
FOXES
It has been the practice for many years to refer all 'complaints' of foxes to the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, and their officers have given advice and carried out control measures
by gassing, clubbing and shooting. This work previously undertaken by the Ministry until 1969
is now carried out by the Council. The Foreman Rodent Operator holds a shot-gun licence and
fire-arms certificate in connection with fox control work and during 1969, 100 foxes approximately
were shot in the Borough.
PIGEONS
Pigeons have been troublesome in some parts of the Borough, fouling buildings and footpaths
and damaging garden crops. Trapping and shooting are the usual methods employed as control
measures. However, where the pigeons were nesting under railway bridges a total of 50 pigeons
was lifted off by hand during one night using a street lighting tower wagon for easy access to
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