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
Bromley 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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PEST CONTROL
Rodent Infestation
The number of complaints received rose by 11% compared with last year. The number
of rat infestations dealt with rose by 9% and mouse infestation rose by 32%.
This considerable upward trend in the number of mouse infestations was apparently
experienced in most of the other London Boroughs and lead to the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries organizing a survey in the Greater London area. This was undertaken in October/
November and 500 premises were visited in Bromley by the Inspectorate.
The Public Health Committee adjourned consideration of a free service for mouse
complaints pending the result of the survey.
SEWERS: Rat infestation in the sewers is still controlled at a very low level.
Treatments are carried out in the Spring and Autumn with the assistance of the Borough Engineer's department in the lifting of sewer manhole covers.
| Type of Property Non Agricultural Agricultural | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Properties other than Sewers | |||
| 1. | Number of properties in district | 124,980 | 313 |
| 2. | (a) Total number of properties (including nearby premises) inspected following notification. | 4,990 | 47 |
| (b) Number infested by (i) Rats (ii) Mice | 1,518 474 | 223 11 | |
| 3. | (a) Total number of properties inspected for rats and/or mice for reasons other than notification. | 962 | 24 |
| (b) Number infested by (i) Rats (ii) Mice | 203 21 | 555 1 | |
Fox Control
During 1972 there were 649 complaints regarding foxes, this was a decrease of 101
in relation to complaints received the previous year. The number of foxes killed was 279 this
being 23 less than in the previous year.
The task of deciding where control has to be exercised requires considerable
judgement and the comparative figures given above speak for themselves.
The policy of the Council to deal only with those foxes which are the subject of
complaint was re-affirmed by the Health Committee following the receipt of a petition from a
local group of conservationists. Many of the foxes destroyed were found to be suffering from
Mange and were in poor physical condition.
Pigeon Control
The control of feral pigeons has been actively pursued in order to reduce the size
of flocks roosting on public and private buildings and thereby causing a nuisance. Railway
bridges are favourites as a nesting place and these are visited at night time on a routine basis
During the year 4,237 pigeons were destroyed.
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