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A total of 40 "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 were undertaken during 1957. At the request of the
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food an extended period of
baiting and recording of poison "takes" was adopted, prebaiting
being carried out on the first day, again on the fourth day and
poison bait laid on the eighth day. (The previous method had
involved prebaiting on the first and second days and poison baiting
on the third day). The bait used was sausage rusk and zinc phosphide
with paranitophenol in the poison,, Doubling up on complete "takes"
was carried out and when recording poison "takes" each gang carried
poison bait to put down where there had been complete "takes" of
poison.
The number of prebait "takes" recorded in the April treatment
showed a ten per cent. increase over the last treatment under the
old method of baiting described above. It was anticipated that
there would be a marked decrease in "takes" in the October
treatment;, but the result showed only a three per cent reduction
in prebait and poison "takes" Thus it would appear that no matter
what method is adopted the number of rats remaining will build up
during the six months interval.
During both treatments the weather was fine with no heavy rainfall
to interfere with the free movement of rats in the sewers,
MOSQPITOS AND OTHER PESTS
During 19579 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, one
infestation of mosquitos seven infestations of clover-mites and one
infestation of ants were dealt with by the Department,and three
wasps nests were destroyed during the year. Small charges were
made for this work.
Forty-two houses and their contents were treated for infestations
of woodworm, the majority of these houses being in the ownership of
the Council,
Charges totalling £163.12.3d. were made upon the responsible
persons for the treatment referred to above,
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