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individual who will feed the feral pigeon, but, fortunately for the district,
most residents, realising the damage caused by these birds, co-operate and
are appreciative of the efforts being made to deal with the situation. The
public can help the local authority in this matter by refraining from feeding
pigeons and also, where birds find their way into roof spaces, by having
the openings effectively sealed.
Rats and Mice
During the year the Department received 1,576 complaints about
either rats or mice and 1,272 premises were found to be infested by rats and
a further 73 were treated for mice. No serious difficulties were encountered
and no major infestations were found.
Constant research in an effort to find a more effective means of control
has resulted in the development of a new rodenticide which is lethal only
to rats, bringing about their death after a single feed. This was used in a
number of cases with much success as an alternative to the usual treatment.
A supply of food, plus cover and surroundings in which to breed, are
all that is required by the rat, and the public can help the local authority
in their efforts to deal with the rodent problem by seeing these two essentials
are not provided. Many of the complaints dealt with during the year were
the result of the careless throwing out of foodstuff for birds and the retention
of waste matter in and around garden sheds.
Wasps
The year, as regards complaints about these pests, was well above
average, the number received being 859 as compared with 335 during 1964
and 453 during 1963.
CLEAN AIR
Smoke Control
On the 8th July 1965, it was agreed that the policy adopted by the
Council's predecessors in respect of Smoke Control Areas should be continued,
and at the end of the year a total of 14,015 premises were affected
by Smoke Control Orders. This represents 18% of the total premises in the
Borough and of these, 13,469 are dwelling houses, representing roughly
20% of the total dwellings. The employment of two full-time technical
assistants to carry out the survey and inspection work, previously carried
out as a part of their duties by the Public Health Inspectors, means that the
rate of progress with Smoke Control Orders can be increased and it is
expected that nearly 3,500 more dwellings will be affected by the end of
1966. This is more than double the number that it was possible to deal with
during 1965.