London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Richmond upon Thames 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]

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The battle is a continuous and fluid one however and success is often tempered with
disappointment. This is illustrated by the unsatisfactory position over mice infestations.
As mentioned in the previous annual report the elimination of mice is, at present, no
quick and easy process. It calls for patience and perseverance on the part of both the
occupier and the rodent operative, and for a variety of tactics and techniques amongst
which the lowly mousetrap is not overlooked.
Sewer treatment with the acute poison fluoroacetamide continues to be one of our
major weapons against the rat population of the Borough. The annual test baiting programme
carried out at the end of 1970 indicated some disquieting increase in the rat
population of the sewers on the Middlesex side and it was therefore decided, as envisaged
in last year's report, to carry out a quarterly treatment of selected manholes throughout
the whole sewer system and this decision was implemented. The success of this action
could not be gauged before the end of the 1971 year as, for various reasons, a decision
was taken to transfer the 10% test baiting operation from early December to the Spring.
In consequence the current position of infestation in the sewers will be assessed in March,
1972.
During the year tests and field trials were carried out using different techniques and
materials. Small sachets consisting of bait enclosed in thin transparent plastic were given
some tests and in certain conditions they were found to have some distinct advantages
although their ready portability by children and animals presented a major disadvantage.
A double strength warfarin with wholewheat grain base is also under trial and preliminary
tests suggest some preference for this type of bait. In all these tests the over-riding
consideration has to be one of safety for both man and domestic animals and this inevitably
places serious limitations upon the methods and materials which can be used. The
criterion cannot be solely the assessment of their effectiveness in killing rodents.
Towards the end of the year steps were being taken to implement the purchase of a
small lightweight inexpensive dinghy for use on rivers, especially the tributaries such as
the Crane and Duke of Northumberland rivers. Here infestations have been found in
the bank which are impossible to reach from the riverside whilst thigh waders have proved
impracticable because of the silt. It is hoped, by the use of this small craft, to deal effectively
with another persistent reservoir of rats in the area.
A total of 142 premises (local authority and private) were treated as business
premises for which a charge is made for rodent control work. Compared with the 1970
figure of 145 the total remains remarkably static
The problems of rodent control are inseparable from accumulations of rubbish.
Whether it be the rather haphazard tipping of lawn mowings and cabbage leaves in the
bottom corner of the garden to form what is blithely referred to as the "compost heap"
or the hoarding of scrap timber, metal and paper behind or in the garden shed or the
indiscriminate dumping of old mattresses and even domestic waste on vacant land, they
each contribute an invitation to and provide a harbourage for rats. Thoughtless neglect
on one's own property is perhaps understandable if regrettable, but the wilful depositing
of any rubbish on open vacant sites or any small patches of accessible land is a deplorable
commentary on the social consciousness of all too many of the public. The Council is
constantly being exhorted to remedy situations quite deliberately created by the irresponsible
element amongst residents and the frequency with which these situations arise is cause
for disquiet.
Grey Squirrels
The presence of the grey squirrel still remains a problem. They begin breeding
during the spring and normally raise two families a year in dreys built on branches or
holes in trees. During the winter and early spring they feed on nuts, acorns and wild
fruits stored from the previous autumn. Contrary to common belief they do not hibernate
during the winter months except in extremely cold weather as they can be seen to be
very active during the lesser cold days of the winter period. As the spring progresses
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