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(viii) Disinfestation of Insects and Pests
Numerous complaints were dealt with during the year concerning
insects and pests that invade homes, shops and stores.
Insects can have a variety of effects on the human race or its
environment, they can destroy or harm food, ruin furniture, materials
and works of art, cause damage to timbers, endanger health or just
cause annoyance.
The present modes of travel, whereby any destination can be
reached in a relatively short time is a great asset to the public, but
at the same time it has brought its problems, as during recent years
new species of insects have been introduced to this country from
abroad, either in cargoes or luggage.
The variety of species of insect pests is always increasing, and
identification becomes more difficult, however, we are fortunate in
being able to send species either to the Natural History Museum or
to one of the firms that manufacture " pesticides," for identification.
From these sources, in addition to the identification, we can learn the
life history, country or origin, whether the insect is harmful or not
and the best control measures to use.
It is evident that the public are becoming more insect conscious,
by the number of requests that are made for assistance to eradicate
various insects.
Apart from the housefly which is the most common of household
pests, those that we are mainly called up to deal with are, timber
beetle, furniture beetles, carpet moths, store beetles, gooseberry mite
and most frequently wasps and ants.
One of the outstanding effects of the better standard of housing
and hygiene enjoyed by most people today is the notable decrease in
the infestations of bed-bugs and house fleas. Prior to the war these
were common to the majority of working class houses, and created
full time work for disinfestation teams, but today they are relatively
rare.
Assi-tance and advice is given in all cases of infestation, some
treatments are carried out by the Rodent Operatives, but in severe
cases the persons concerned are advised to obtain the services of
specialist firms.
Where necessary the destruction of clothing and bedding is
undertaken by the Council upon the receipt of a written request from
the owner.
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