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carried out 30 smoke tests on suspected defective drains at rat
infested premises, and these tests produced evidence of 20 defective
drains.
A total of 28 "block control" schemes was carried out during the
year. As in previous years the Council continued its practice of
arranging free treatment in respect of infestations in private
dwellings. A charge is made for treatment carried out by the
Council at business and industrial premises.
With the co-operation of the Borough Engineer's Department, two
sewer treatments and one test baiting were undertaken during 1956,
and in this way the number of rats in the sewers has been kept under
control. The number of "takes" recorded at the December treatment
showed a 3 per cent. increase on the previous treatment in June.
The weather during the December treatment of the sewers was ideal.
The weather was mild and there was no heavy rainfall to wash baits
away or to interfere with the free movement of rats in the sewers.
Maximum "takes" of baits were expected, and this proved to be the
case.
MOSQUITOES AND OTHER PESTS
During 1956 a number of complaints were received from various
parts of the Borough of infestations of cockroaches, moths, crickets,
and silver fish. Advice was given in each case, and, where
necessary, treatment carried out. Five infestations of cockroaches
were dealt with by the Department during the year, for which charges
were made.
Two houses ware treated for infestations of woodworm; one of
which included disinfestation of the furniture also.
Charges totalling £33. 8.1d. were made upon the responsible
persons for the treatments referred to above.
DOG NUISANCE
A few complaints of nuisance from dogs fouling pavements came
to the notice of the Department during the year, but in no case was
there sufficient evidence available for the Council to take action
in the Courts to obtain a conviction.
Summonses under the Council's byelaw made in 1938 are few and
far between, mainly because members of the public are reluctant
to come forward with evidence of such offences. However, a large
number of leaflets dealing with this matter were distributed through
the Council's libraries.
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