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DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
The department received and acted upon a large number of complaints of infestation
by insect pests from householders this year. The types of pest represented a wide
variety and the largest single number of complaints was made about wasps' nests.
Of recent years there has been a vast and virtually uncontrolled increase in the
number of wild or " feral pigeons " in all town areas. Flocks of these birds which
can be a source of annoyance if not nuisance, have become established in the Borough.
In one area action as provided for in the Public Health Act, 1961, was taken to reduce
a small but well established flock of pigeons which were causing considerable nuisance.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food authorised the use of a narcotic drug
and the work was undertaken by a specialist firm of contractors.
Bathing facilities are provided at the Disinfecting Station for the cleansing of
verminous persons. In the case of females, treatment is carried out under the supervision
of a woman attendant specially employed for the purpose. During the year,
five persons were treated.
The department maintains a high pressure boiler with vacuum producing and
hot air apparatus for the disinfection and disinfestation of clothing, linen and other
articles. Library books, fabrics and other articles liable to damage by steam are
treated by formalin spray in the disinfecting chamber. Four hundred and seventy-eight
articles were treated; 149 of these were parcels of used clothing for despatch abroad
to those countries which require a certificate that this treatment has been carried out.
A charge is made for disinfection and disinfestation with the exception of terminal
disinfection carried out after a notifiable disease and the cleansing of verminous persons.
Statistical Table— see page 75.
RODENT CONTROL
Although the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, places the onus of
responsiblity for ridding premises of rats or mice on the owner or occupier of premises,
it has been found in practice that best results are achieved when the local authority
undertakes disinfestation as a health service. In Finchley, this service is available to
all residents of private dwellings and occupiers of business premises. Surveys and
appropriate treatments are carried out by a trained staff; a charge is made for this
service.
It is the practice each year for a sewer treatment to be carried out by placing
poison baits in manholes and thus to achieve a reduction of the rat population in the
sewer systems. In November, 595 manholes were treated in this way, and there was a
total of 17 complete poison takes as a result.
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