View report page

103
DISINFECTION
Articles of clothing, bedding, etc., were dealt with at the
steam disinfecting plant at Crofton Road Depot, to which they
were transported in specially constructed vehicles. Articles unsuitable
for treatment by steam disinfection were dealt with by chemical
methods.
The disinfection of premises was undertaken by spraying with
liquid disinfectants or by the use of chemical fumigants.
Disinfection following notifiable infectious disease was carried
out free of charge, a few requests were received for the use of the
disinfecting service when notifiable disease was not involved and
in such cases an approved nominal charge was made.
DISINFESTATION
127 requests were received for the treatment of premises and
articles infested by vermin and insects and were dealt with by the
use of insecticides in either liquid or powder form. This type of
work was undertaken on payment of approved charges.
WASP NEST DESTRUCTION
Weather conditions this year were again suitable for wasps
to produce large numbers of colonies and 588 nests were destroyed.
The charge for this service was kept to £1 per nest clearance.
From the nature of the complaints received it is evident that the
presence of wasp nests in or adjacent to dwellings causes considerable
anxiety to the occupants and, whilst a percentage of complaints
express the view that this service should be provided free of
cost, the large majority are satisfied to be rid of a wasp nest for
the charge made.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
At the beginning of the year some 7,320 acres of the borough
and approximately 38,750 of its premises were covered by smoke
control orders. These figures represent approximately 20 per cent
of the total area of the borough and approximately 35 per cent
of the premises.
During the year Smoke Control Orders Nos. 10, 11 and 12,
namely parts of Plaistow, Sundridge, Bickley and Famborough