London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Tottenham 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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16
Insect Pests
There was a further reduction during 1961 in the number of bug infestations
reported.
Other pests which gave rise to most complaints were beetles, where 45 infestations
were dealt with, and wasps; 18 nests were destroyed.
Inspections prior to removal to Council houses numbering 355 have been made on
notification by the Housing Manager and disinfestation was required in 20 cases, the
furniture being treated in a cyanide chamber.
Premises Treated
| Houses | Other Premises | |
|---|---|---|
| Ants | 8 | 3 |
| Bees | 1 | - |
| Beetles | 45 | 11 |
| Bluebottles | 1 | - |
| Bugs | 105 | - |
| Distemper | - | 1 |
| Fleas | 9 | - |
| Flies | 2 | 4 |
| Lice | 1 | - |
| Maggots | - | 1 |
| Mosquitoes | - | 1 |
| Moths | 1 | - |
| Red Mite | 6 | - |
| Silver Fish | 1 | - |
| Wasps | 18 | - |
| 198 | 21 |
Rodents
The use of sodium fluoroacetate for rodent control in treating the sewers continued
to operate. As previously indicated, this is a method of direct poisoning. In order
to assess the effectiveness of this treatment it has been thought advisable to undertake
at least one prebait (or poison) reading per year. In this way it becomes possible
to decide on the quantity of poison bait required at any particular manhole or in any
particular area. It also enables unnecessary baiting to be avoided.
In the case of private dwellings and business premises, Warfarin rodenticide was
used.
The following is a summary of dwelling houses and business premises etc. treated
during 1961:-
(1) Dwelling houses 661
(2) Factory premises 38
(3) Shops 41
(4) School canteens 64
(5) Miscellaneous 32
(6) Total change for 2/5 above £125.11. 0d.