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identification. From these sources, in addition to the identification,
we can learn the life history, country of 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 upon 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.
Assistance and advice is given in all cases of infestation. Some
treatments are carried out by the Rodent Operative, 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.
(ix) Pet Animals Act, 1951
Under this Act, a person who desires to sell pets, of any
description, by retail, must be licensed by the Local Authority.
These licences are renewable annually and conditions are attached
to the licence, in order to regulate the manner in which the animals
are kept and exposed for sale.
At present there are 12 persons licensed in the borough to
keep Pet Shops, 4 of these are in respect of stalls in the Market
Place. Pets on these stalls are restricted to puppies, goldfish and
tortoises.
Inspections are made to ensure that the conditions of the
licences are complied with.
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