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The treatment of foul sewers in the Richmond town area was carried out in May
and November. The anti-coagulent, "Warfarin" was again used and baiting was
concentrated in those areas known to be infested.
In the Twickenham area, four treatments using Fluoracetamide (direct poisoning)
were carried out. Test baiting was carried out in the Barnes area and direct poisoning
is scheduled early in 1968, when it should be possible to achieve uniformity throughout
the Borough by using Fluoracetamide.
Progress has been maintained and close liaison has been kept with the Ministry
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are most helpful in providing courses for the
rodent operatives thus enabling them to keep abreast of the latest developments and
techniques in eradication methods.
(b) Complaints are received from time to time of squirrels invading roof spaces,
and advice on treatment and proofing is freely available from the Ministry of Agri
culture, Fisheries and Food (Field Section) at Guildford, or from the local Ministry
Inspector at 15, West Tenter Street, London, E.l. (telephone ROYal 6801). One
complaint of unusual interest concerned a squirrel which entered the garden of a
dwelling house and attacked the householder's young daughter. Before trapping could
be put in hand, a further report was received of children being attacked by a squirrel
in the nearby grounds of a cemetery. The squirrel was killed by a passer-by and the
absence of any later incident suggests that these attacks had been made by one "rogue"
squirrel.
(c) Pest infestations can cause serious inconvenience to the householder and one
complaint during the year came from a new block of flats where a tenant reported
millions of tiny insects invading the bathroom and kitchen areas. The invader was
identified as the Clover Mite (Bryobia Praetiosa). The females normally lay eggs on
trees, but when land is developed they may make their way up any vertical surface
available. as for example, the walls of newly-built property. Swarming into new
dwellings has been recorded in the spring and less frequently in the autumn, and it is
thought that the females arc in search of places in which to lay their eggs. Treatment
is by soaking grass and vegetation adjoining the wall being attacked with an emulsion
of malathion or lindane. The mites are harmless to human beings.
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