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Again due to staff sickness and shortages, the treatment of sewers has been
considerably curtailed. This is regretted, as a build-up of the rat population quickly
takes place unless treatments are maintained. Direct poisoning without pre-baiting,
using sodium fluoracetate, is carried out, and to be fully effective should be
repeated at three-monthly intervals. There are several thousand soil sewer manholes
in the Borough and regular treatment of all these would involve a prodigious
amount of work. The rat population in the sewers varies very considerably from
one part of the district to another. In many parts, the sewers are completely free
from rats and so regular treatments are confined to areas known to be infested, but
from time to time overall checks are made to assess the situation generally.
There have been no serious surface infestations during 1966. The ubiquitous
rat usually initiates complaints from several sources in the infested area. Many
complaints concern the sighting of a single rat but quick action is required to
prevent an infestation, and prompt reporting of the presence of rats is appreciated.
With a large area of rural countryside within the Borough, it is to be expected
that complaints will be received concerning other wild life. From lime to time
complaints are received concerning squirrels, rabbits, moles and pigeons. It is the
policy of the Department to help wherever possible, either by practical means or
by advice and loaning of equipment.
The pigeon is fast becoming a serious nuisance and the amount of damage to
growing crops and buildings is considerable. The ferral pigeon, and in some cases
the wood pigeon, have adapted themselves to urban life and their numbers continue
to rise. Many people consider them attractive and encourage their presence by
feeding them, and oppose any attempt to reduce their numbers.
During the year five treatments were carried out on three occasions under
Section 74 of the Public Health Act. 1961, which empowers a local authority to
take steps for the purpose of abating or mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or
damage caused by the congregation in any built-up area of house doves or pigeons
or of starlings or sparrows.
Garden pests are increasingly the cause of complaints by householders and
429 wasps’ nests together with 30 bees’ nests were destroyed by Council staff, and
97 other insect infestations were treated.
Although their control is the responsibility of the householder, it is appreciated
that some people are nervous of stinging insects and that others may have difficulty,
because of age or infirmity, in destroying these pests.
No charge is made by the Council for these services.
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