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In the maintenance treatment carried out later in May, seventy-three
manholes were baited resulting in twenty-three "takes" and in October,
fifty-one were baited with thirteen "takes".
Rats were found to be breaking out of the house drainage systems in
three instances. The defective drains were repaired, and this will
prevent a recurrence of infestation, from these sources, in the appropriate
sewers.
No charge is made for the use of the Rodent Operator's services in
treating private domestic premises, provided that the occupiers co-operate
in carrying out their duties under the Act.
The cost of treatments at all other premises is recoverable.
OTHER INFESTATIONS.
There was an increase in the requests for assistance and advice on
dealing with infestations, amounting to one hundred and fifteen enquiries.
The infestations cover a wide variety of insects and other pests, e.g.
wasps, beetles, ants, cockroaches, fleas, flies, bees, lice, foxes, squirrels
and moles.
We are assisted in the identification of some of these insects by the
British Museum (Natural History Section) the staff of which give prompt
answers to our queries.
Small quantities of insecticides are distributed and in some cases the
power sprayer is loaned to assist.
HEATING- APPLIANCES (FIREGUARDS) ACT. 1952.
This Act and the Regulations made thereunder came into operation on the
1st October 1955, after which date it became an offence to manufacture a
heating appliance which does not comply with the requisite standards. No
contraventions were found, this year, of the standards .set by the Act and
Regulations for fireguards on heating appliances.