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25
The Council gave a preliminary approval to the scheme submitted
by the Maiden and Coombe Housing Society for the conversion
of a large house into 10 flatlets. This application follows
a similar successful conversion by the Society and mentioned in
my report for 1955.
HOUSING REPAIRS AND RENTS ACT, 1954.
No applications were received for certificates of disrepair
during the year and no certificates issued in previous years were
revoked.
INSECT PESTS.
During the year many members of the public sought advice
regarding the destruction of insect pests.
The carpet beetle continues to be prevalent in many parts of
the district and thorough cleaning is the best method of control
as the insect is resistant to the popular insecticides. The adult
beetle is often mistaken for a grey-brown ladybird and in the
larval stage of development is recognised as the "woolly bear" a
larva with a soft body, thickly covered with hair and thick bristles
at the tail end. Much damage is caused to woollen materials by
the larva.
Considerable nuisance was experienced in some parts of the
borough by migrating hordes of clover mite. Although harmless
these minute pests can be eradicated by treating the areas affected
with derris and pyrethrum sprays.
The bug. flea and louse, normally associated with public health
preventative measures, continue to become less of a problem and
during the year only ten rooms were treated for infestations of
bugs.
Thirty-five vacant council houses were inspected for evidence
of insect infestation and two houses were treated for bug infestation.
Requests were received from a number of householders for
assistance in the destruction of wasps nests. Some nests were
destroyed and other requests were declined where the nests were
found to be in positions not causing real inconvenience.
By arrangement with the Surrey County Council the school
kitchens and canteens (six in number) were thoroughly sprayed
at the appropriate time with D.D.T. solution as a deterrent against
insect infestation.