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(b) Grey Squirrels and Feral Pigeons.
In my 1966 Annual Report, I said that the grey squirrel was becoming a serious
nuisance to householders and that there was a real danger from maggots, filth and
damage to timber if they become established in lofts or roof spaces. Following this I
received a number of protests through the post, by letters in local newspapers and by
telephone, because I described these animals as "tree rats". Since then many more urgent
requests for advice have been received when squirrels have become established in houses,
and I think the public are now beginning to realise that whilst the squirrel may have
its attractions in the open country, it can be a serious nuisance in built-up areas and it
is common-sense not to encourage and feed it near the house. Although the Health
Department are not under any statutory obligation to take action in the case of infestation,
advice on treatment and proofing is available to householders, and the following
method recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has had
considerable success in evicting squirrels from roof spaces and lofts. "Obtain 7— 14lbs.
of flake naphthalene, according to size of roof space, from any large chemist or seedsman.
Place at different points in roof space; leave 2-3 days when substance will have
dispersed and slowly given off a gas which should drive the squirrels away". Immediately
after this, "proofing" such as fixing of small guage wire netting, making good tiles
and fillets, etc., can be carried out.
In November the Council approved a contract with a specialist firm for action
under Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961, to abate or mitigate the nuisance
from pigeons in a selected site in the Richmond area. Details of the two previous areas
similarly dealt with were given in last year's Annual Report. A fair measure of success
was achieved, but in the Richmond Town centre the operation was adversely affected
because some members of the public continued to feed the birds and rendered trapping
difficult.
As in the case of the grey squirrel, the number of complaints received about
pigeons is on the increase and there can be no doubt that these birds cause serious
nuisance to occupiers as well as damage to property. (The photograph below shows
a typical infestation in a Richmond area and the heavy fouling of the roof is clearly
shown). The Council are using their permissive powers to deal with suitable well
defined heavy infestations, but this is an expensive matter and it is difficult to see
when and how it will be possible to extend treatment to the very many small infestations
which occur throughout the Borough. In the meantime, the public can help by
not feeding and encouraging the feral pigeon.
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