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small shops and businesses, but equally there it no doubt that the cost of the Council's
service is lower than that of private contractors.
A total of 97 commercial contracts were entered into during 1970 and a further
48 premises belonging to the Council received attention. Under the latter heading are
included mice infestations in school kitchens which can be a recurring nuisance.
Grey Squirrels
In previous years I have referred in detail to the problems caused by grey squirrels.
Although gardens and open spaces are the natural habitat of squirrels they sometimes
invade roof spaces of houses. It must be borne in mind that the department has no
statutory obligation to deal with infestations but, when complaints are received from
householders whose roof spaces are affected, appropriate advice is given.
Feral Pigeons
Subject to certain conditions, Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961, permits
a local authority to take steps for mitigating nuisance from pigeons. During the year
the Council decided to take action to mitigate serious nuisance being caused by pigeons
in two areas in the Borough. Specialist firms were engaged for the purpose and 671
pigeons were trapped and humanely destroyed.
Wasps Nests
Although wasps cannot be regarded as vermin they can be a considerable nuisance.
In foraging for food they invade orchards, gardens, food factories and food shops. In
houses they can be a persistent worry particularly if there is a nest on the premises.
During the summer of 1970 there seemed to be more wasps than usual and 588 requests
for advice or help were received from residents in the Borough. Advice was given
where necessary, but when complainants requested the nest to be destroyed, arrangements
were made for two private contractors operating in the Borough to carry out
the work of destruction where possible and for which they charged a reasonable fee
to the complainant.
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