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insect pests. Each year sees an increasing number of requests from housewives for
advice on the identification of insects they come across in their homes and on the
method of eradication and control. Many of these insects are of little or no
public health significance but in every case steps are taken to supply the appropriate
information and advice and, if necessary, the premises are visited and an
inspection carried out.
The incidence of vermin (bugs, fleas and lice) is now very low, only seven
infestations having to be dealt with. In these cases disinfestation work is
carried out by one of the Council's rodent operatives who has been trained in this
work.
Wasps nests are also destroyed, free of charge, 180 being dealt with during
the year.
Routine inspections of the effects of new Council tenants are also carried
out prior to their removal into their new accommodation, but it is now only very
occasionally that any evidence of vermin is found. In these cases the necessary
disinfestation work is carried out before removal takes place. 246 inspections
were made during the year
The Public Health Act, 1961, gave the Council power 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 pigeons".
As a result of complaints received, steps were accordingly taken to deal with
those which had congregated under railway bridges and in the roofs of vacant houses
awaiting demolition. 242 pigeons were removed and 106 eggs destroyed. The pigeons
are taken by hand, late at night, when they are roosting, and handed to the local
Inspector of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for disposal.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT 1949 - RODENT CONTROL
Rodent control at dwelling houses and business premises is carried out by a
foreman, three whole-time and one part-time operatives working under the supervision
of the District Public Health Inspectors and in accordance with recommendations
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The foreman and operatives
attend refresher courses arranged by the Ministry from time to time to
ensure that they are properly aware of the latest methods and poisons, etc., in use.
Treatment of sewers is carried out by the Borough Engineer and Surveyor's
Department. A few instances occurred, particularly in the Edgware District, of
rats breaking out from sewers via the rodding arms of intercepting traps and
defective fresh air inlet heads on the drainage systems of houses. The necessary
rep airs to the drains were carried out by the householders and the Borough Engineer
and Surveyor's Department advised so that disinfestation work could be
carried out in the sewers.
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