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106
12. RODENT AND INSECT PEST CONTROL.
In the Report last year reference was made to the serious shortage
of staff in this section of the Department but during this year we have
been able to recruit and maintain a full establishment of staff and
operatives. Consequently control has been undertaken in a thorough
and systematic manner to the satisfaction of both the public and the
staff.
There is no doubt that there would be fewer complaints of rats if
the occupiers of business and residential properties kept their yards
and gardens reasonably tidy, for frequently shelter is provided for
the rats by accumulations of rubbish and unwanted furniture.
More complaints were received of nuisance caused by pigeons.
These arise from the encouragement of flocks to assemble at points
where they are regularly fed and in some instances control has been
made extremely difficult because of the lack of co-operation by some
members of the public. A number of birds were trapped during the
year.
It is not generally known that pigeons are carriers of disease
and it is better to keep their numbers down to reasonable proportions
rather than expose residents to a health hazard and to the obvious
nuisance they become when encouraged. If the practice of feeding
pigeons was discontinued their numbers in towns could soon be reduced
to an acceptable figure.
When complaints of nuisance from squirrels are received9 advice
is given on trapping or proofing. The extensive damage which can be
caused by these creatures is not realised until the buildings have been
invaded. Here again, residents are not easily convinced that they
should not feed them if they do not wish to attract them to the vicinity
of dwellings.
As always, a good liaison was maintained with the staff of the
Laboratory at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Pood at
Tolworth where advice on problems of treatment for various insects
was readily obtainable. In return we were pleased to assist in
providing demonstrations and giving talks to overseas officers and
field officers on certain aspects of rodent control particularly in
cases which were related to defects of drains and sewers.
The accompanying tabulated statement is an indication of the work
carried out during the year.