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travelling caravan dwellers present on land within the
borough and these have caused considerable problems.
Many complaints have been received regarding the presence
of these caravans and having regard to Government
instructions that they should not be harassed and council
policy on the matter, it has not been possible to take any
really effective action. Legal action was taken in 5 cases
and where possible caravans were removed by informal
action. The problem of itinerant caravans remained as actue
as ever at the end of the year.
During the year, the councils temporary site was
established at Church Road, Cranford, pending the
establishment of a permanent site. The temporary site has
the minimal facilities of a water supply and drainage
disposal and is occupied by 15 caravans. The site is under
the management of the director of housing.
It is hoped that speedy progress will be made towards
the establishment of the council's permanent site so that
the area may be designated under the Caravan Sites Act,
1968, thus providing effective control of caravans
unlawfully stationed within the borough.
Another area where caravans are stationed which causes
concern to the department is in Station Estate Road,
Feltham. Although some of these vans are occupied by
members of the Showmans Guild and do not require council
permission, others which do require authority have been
there so long that positive council action is difficult. These
caravans are the subject of complaint and present a fire
risk because of their close proximity to each other.
Rodent control
The baiting of sewers throughout the borough continued
during the year. Some 937 manholes on the public sewer
system were baited of which 321 were found to be infested.
These were treated with a fluoracetamide based poison.
This systematic and concentrated treatment appears to be
having significant results in that the number of complaints
necessitating properties to be treated for surface
infestations of rats in 1972 was approximately 21% less
than the corresponding number in 1971.
As stated in last year's report we have varied our
approach to treating mice infestations and are using a
variety of poisons other than anti-coagulants. This
together with mouse proofing work has reduced the
number of mice treatments following notification by
33% compared with 1971.
I would emphasise the necessity for the continued
co-operation of the public in reporting the occurrence of
rats and mice in the borough. If these are reported before
an infestation becomes firmly established, the prospects of
success in dealing with the pests are much better. This is
particularly relevant to houses which are in multiple
occupation where infestations are difficult to eradicate and
spread very rapidly. There is evidence that certain people
are accepting a tolerance towards mice and not reporting
incidences of minor infestations.
During the year a random survey of 500 premises was
carried out to assess the extent of unreported incidences
of rodent infestation. This was at the request of the
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food but the assessed
results of the survey were not available by the end of the
year.
It has long been my concern that the duties of a rodent
operator are exacting and responsible and that the wages
offered do not attract the right calibre of person. This
together with the shortage of applicants prompted a
request to Management Services for consideration of
regrading the position. It was learned that this was not
possible but a bonus scheme would be examined. At the
end of the year, the works study team were investigating
this possibility which it is hoped will provide an
attraction for the appropriate men to undertake this
responsible work.
Other pest control work
Complaints regarding insect pests continued to run at a
high level during the year. 531 complaints were made to
the department concerning insect pests and 39 concerning
pigeons.
With the variety of insecticides now available, little
difficulty was experienced in dealing with most insect
pests. The year was notable for a reduction of over 50% in
the number of complaints concerning fleas and I should
like to think that the advice offered in last year's report
to treat pet animals periodically for animal fleas has been
taken. The assistance of the British Museum (Natural
History) was sought on a few occasions for the
identification of comparatively rare insects and their
co-operation is gratefully acknowledged.
Excessive numbers of pigeons are still within the
borough which sometimes cause considerable nuisance.
During the year some 824 pigeons were shot and there is
no doubt that if the staff could spend more time on this
type of operation, further culling of the flocks would be of
benefit.
Diseases of animals
Towards the end of the year, I was advised that Swine
Vesicular Disease was to be notifiable under the Diseases
of Animals Act. Although at that time Hounslow was not
declared to be an "infected area", an immediate and
thorough inspection was carried out of all the pig keepers
in the borough particularly those boiling swill.
There are 8 pig keepers operating a business in
Hounslow, 7 of which boil swill for pig feeding which
they collect from many various sources. A check was made
to see that boiling temperature was reached and held for
the requisite time.
One piggery which has been a constant source of trouble
by allowing its drainage to seep into a river via an open
ditch, was finally closed.
Miscellaneous
Visits were carried out by the public health inspectors for
the following licences and registrations.
Pet animals Act 1951 18 licences
Riding Establishments Act 1964 3 licences
Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 1 licence
Rag Flock and other filling Materials Act 4 registrations
Hairdressers and barbers 150 registrations
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