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21
Sewers and Drains. The conditions under which the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries give financial aid require the
Corporation to carry out two treatments per year to the sewers
in the town, and it has "been customary for this to "be done in
the months of March and September.
Experience over the last few years has proved that March
is usually a very wet month, and this, coupled with the fact
that most of Kingston is a flat and low lying area, has caused
a large number of baits to be washed away when the sewers were
charged during heavy rain.
Meteorological records give December as being the driest
month of winter and it was decided, therefore, to carry out
the Rodent Control campaigns in December and June.
This arrangement necessitated three treatments during the
year, when, because of the improved conditions now prevailing,
only 245 manholes were baited as against 300 last year. It is
hoped to reduce the incidence of rats in sewers still further
by intensifying our efforts in the areas where infestation is
persistent.
Rodent Control - Statistical Statement, 1952.
Private Dwellings and Corporation Property.
Rats Mice Total
No. of complaints received in office 144
No. of premises inspected as a result
of these complaints 592
No. of premises found to be infested 205 38 243
No. of separate infestations treated 225 43 268
No. of visits for treatment and
re inspections 1383 156 1539
In addition, 710 premises and a number of back gardens and
other properties were inspected in connection with routine
surveys.

Insect Pest Control.
Insect Pest Control and maintenance treatments with regard
to cockroaches, flies, etc. are carried out by the Department
in all types of premises. It should be remembered that practically
every foodstuff or material has its own particular pest, e.g., the
bacon beetle, flour moth, cocoa moth and carpet beetle, to name
only a few.
As stated previously in the Report, the incidence of bed bugs
ln Kingston continues to decline. With regard to infestations by