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31
Disinfestation of both privately owned houses and
Council houses is carried out by operatives under the supervision
of Sanitary Inspectors, presence of vermin being
located by the Sanitary Inspectors whilst carrying out their
inspections. With regard to privately owned property, owners
and occupiers are encouraged to report infestations in which
case every assistance is given to cope with the menace, and
for an appropriate charge, the operative carries out the
necessary destruction. Close co-operation exists between the
Housing Department and the Sanitary Inspectors, in which
case successful disinfestation is promptly carried out, and in
the case of transfers, it is sometimes found so necessary for
the tenant to surrender certain household articles for destruction.
Materials used for disinfestation are based on solutions
of D.D.T., and latterly, Gammexane.
E (5)1. Cleansing of verminous persons.
During the year, persons suffering from Scabies have
been directed to the Cleansing station administered by the
Borough of Bexley with which Authority an agreement has
existed for such treatment to be carried out.
E (5)m. Mosquito Control.
During the year, there was no obvious mosquito
nuisance, principally due no doubt to the temperate summer
climate. As usual however, the necessary precautions were
taken which included the spraying of the many water courses
and reservoirs such as pools and allotment tanks situated
within the area. Such spraying operated from April to
September. The 275 pig salvage bins on the streets were
similarly treated.
E (5)n. Rodent control.
Much good work has been carried out with regard to the
destruction of rats and mice. Provisions of Circular N.S. 19
were accepted by the Local Authority, whereby all grants
and conditions thereto in force at 31st March, 1948 were
terminated, and superseded by a consolidated grant of 50%
of the approved net expenditure incurred by the Local
Authority during the year ending 31st March, 1949. To rank
for this grant, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
deemed it necessary for the Local Authority to undertake
that two operatives be employed on rodent destruction whole
time.
As in the previous years, the Council's sewers have been
effectively treated for sewer rat during the months of March
and September.