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(29)
private domestic premises, provided that the occupiers co-operate in
carrying out their duties under the Act. Five preliminary notices
were served requiring the removal of accumulations harbouring rats.
The cost of treatments at all other premises is recoverable.
OTHER IN FESTATIONS.
The Department is frequently asked for advice and assistance in
connection with insect infestations and during this year has dealt with
some one hundred and sixty-five enquiries. One hundred and twentyfour
wasps nests were destroyed on privately owned properties and on the
Council's own lands. A small charge is made for this service to
householders.
The other infestations cover a variety of things, e.g. beetles, ants,
cockroaches, flies and bugs.
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.
Following representations by residents of the nuisance caused by
feral pigeons , two areas were pre-baited with maize, one in Byng Road and
the other the Barracks Yard, rear of the High Street, under the powers
given by Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961.
As the pre-baiting was successful, drawing pigeons to the baiting
points from various parts, the Ministry were approached for a licence to
use an approved narcotic.
This was eventually forthcoming and on Sunday morning, 23rd June at
5 a.m., the hour at which the pre-baiting had been done, the narcotised
bait was laid. Just over one hundred pigeons were picked up and
destroyed.
The following morning a total of sixteen pigeons only were counted
on both sites.
The contract for dealing with an infestation of cockroaches on one
of the Council's housing estates was recommended for renewal for a second