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occurence to give more than one course of treatment to eradicate
bedbugs.
D.D.T. powders prove very effective in dealing with ants and
cockroaches and much practical help and advice has been extended
to householders who have found their premises infested with these
pests.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
The rodent section of the staff have done much useful work
during the year in eradicating rats and mice from premises and foul
sewers.
A total of 3,916 visits were made to Dwellings and Business
premises throughout the year.
271 complaints of infestation by rats or mice were received from
occupiers of premises, and inspection and investigation revealed rat
infestation at 176 premises and mice infestation at 100 premises. By
the end of the year infestations had been cleared at 263 of these
premises.
Treatment of the foul sewers was carried out on two occasions
a total of 1,357 visits being made for this purpose in connection with
inspection, baiting, poisoning and checking results.
In all 450 manholes were dealt with and of this number 149 were
found to be infested and were baited and poisoned.
The takes of poison baits in the infested manholes were good
and the results obtained at both sewer treatments were very satisfactory.
SMOKE ABATEMENT.
Richmond, being residential in character, has few large works
or Factories, but an increasing number of complaints has been received
alleging nuisance from smoke emission.
Twenty-five complaints were received during the year, and 12
observations for excess smoke were made. Interviews with managers
and advice to stokers, in those cases where the complaints were
justified resulted in improved conditions.
At the end of the year, the investigations of two complaints
involving boilerhouse chimneys was still continuing.