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Lighting and ventilation provided or improved 19
Outbuildings repaired 3
Defective brickwork repaired or re-pointed 49
Paintwork renewed 17
Windows glazed 15
Outdoor premises cleansed 4
Sanitary accommodation provided 5
Rat infestations abated 97
Water supply laid on 14
Burning of refuse abated 2
Roofs repaired 12
Soakaway provided 4
Washing facilities provided 2
Miscellaneous 28
Total 1,479
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
The methods adopted for the eradication of bed bugs during the
year were similar to those which had been found most successful during
the preceding years.
The numbers of houses dealt with were as follows:—
Council Houses infested 10
„ disinfested 10
Other „ infested 9
„ „ disinfested 9
The work in Council houses and private houses is usually carried
out under the supervision of a representative of the Public Health
Department and the methods adopted are in proportion to the degree
of infestation. In most cases all mouldings, skirtings, picture rails
and other wooden fixtures, such as cupboards, are removed, and all
surfaces and crevices are treated with the blow lamp, or are sprayed
with an insecticide, after which the rooms affected are treated by
fumigation with sulphur.
Much depends on the time of the year when the bugs make their
appearance, and at all times the tenant is advised to raise the temperature
as much as possible and to maintain it in order that the application of
a strong concentration of sulphur may be effective. In normal rooms
of 90-120 square feet 6 lbs. of sulphur is used. Further examination
is made at the expiration of about 10 days and, if necessary, further
treatment is given. It is rarely found necessary, however, to apply
a second fumigation with sulphur.
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