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RODENT CONTROL IN SEWERS
The system of rodent control in sewers recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food, with the use of fluoracetamide as a direct poison bait was again
in operation in the Borough in 1963. In the areas selected for treatment during the
year 297 sewer manholes were treated with this poison in March, and again in July
and October. The Department's Rodent Operatives were able to undertake this
treatment which is one of the more important aspects of their work, without assistance
from the Borough Surveyor's staff as was necessary with pre-baiting and baiting
methods using warfarin and other substances. As only one visit on each of the three
occasions was made to each manhole, it was not possible to assess the results of the
treatment at the time. Experience in previous recent years has proved the effectiveness
of fluoracetamide, but as a check, 122 of the 297 manholes previously dealt with during
the year were test-baited in November. Of these 122 manholes there were only seven
where partial takes were recorded and these were then treated with warfarin and finally
test-baited and found clear.
It has now become standard practice where several complaints of rat infestations
are received in a small area, not the subject of a current maintenance treatment, to
place fluoracetamide baits in sewer manholes in the immediate vicinity. There is always
a marked decline in the number of complaints in areas where sewer treatments are
undertaken, which proves the value of this work in built-up areas. There is no doubt
that such work should be organised on as wide a basis as possible.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
Seven premises in the Borough were registered under the Act and in only three
of these premises is work within the scope of the Act being carried on. In all cases
only materials carrying the Certificate of the British Standards Institution are used.
PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951
Licences in respect of 12 premises were renewed by the Council during the year.
Routine visits of inspection were made by the Public Health Inspectors to these
premises on 29 occasions during the year.
NUISANCES CAUSED BY DEMOLITION WORKS
The development of vacant sites and the increased amount of private building which
is now in hand in the Borough has resulted in large scale demolition of many of the
older houses in Ealing. Demolition work of this type frequently gives rise to serious
nuisances from dust and noise, and smoke from bonfires which, because of the very
nature of the work, are difficult to minimise or control. In a number of cases inteø
vention by the officers of the Department has produced improvements in methods
used and in the damping down of material prior to its loading into the vehicles used
for its removal from the site. In other cases water sprays have been used to reduce
dust nuisances caused by the felling of large sections of brickwork and masonry.
The new powers contained in Section 29 of the Public Health Act, 1961, which
enable local authorities to serve notices on demolition contractors to take certain
action whilst carrying out the work, do not, unfortunately include any provisions to
safeguard adjoining residents against dust, noise and smoke and it is therefore
necessary to use other powers to deal with these matters. The Association of Municipal
Corporations which was approached on this problem felt that it would not be possible
to secure the passing of legislation giving further powers, so soon after the enactment
of the Public Health Act, 1961.
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