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35
Eradication of Bed Bugs.—During the year 40 Council
houses and 135 other houses were found to be bug infested. All
these houses were successfully disinfested.
The method employed for freeing infested Council houses from
bed bugs is by stripping the paper from the walls, loosening or
removing all woodwork, the application of a blow lamp to the
seats of infestation and spraying with a contact insecticide. In the
case of privately owned houses a notice is served on the owner or
occupier to do the necessary stripping of walls, etc., and the rooms
are then sprayed with a contact insecticide. Bedding from infested
rooms is treated at the Council's steam clisinfector.
In all cases where there is a suspicion of infestation with bugs
in the belongings of people about to remove to a Council house
disinfestation with hydrogen cyanide is carried out, this work being
done by a contractor. During the year the furniture and belongings
of 40 families were treated by this method.
The Housing Department make particular enquiries at Council
houses regarding possible infestation and report to the vSanitary
Inspector when necessary. A thorough inspection is made and
remedial measures are adopted when infestation is confirmed. The
tenants are encouraged to report at once any suspected or actual
infestation so that remedial action can be taken early. As regards
other houses the tenants are advised to inform the Public Health
Department when there are any signs of re-infestation.
Nuisance from Noise.—Section 106 of the Middlesex County
Council Act, 1938, provides that a noise nuisance shall be liable
to be dealt with in accordance with the provisions relating to
nuisances of the Public Health Act, 1936, with the proviso that if
the noise is occasioned in the course of any trade, business or occupation
it shall be a good defence that the best practicable means
of preventing or mitigating it, having regard to the cost, have
been adopted.
Ten complaints of nuisances from noise were received during
the year. Investigations were made and where possible appropriate
action was taken and the noise abated or reduced to a minimum.