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110
the furniture manufacturing factory. Apart from this factory, In
12 instances an informal representation to the person responsible
secured abatement of the nuisance. In the remaining 18
cases, no nuisance was found on which statutory action could
be taken.
Pests
The two rodent operatives have continued to carry out
excellent work not only in the destruction of rats and mice but
also in dealing with wasp nests and feral pigeon infestations.
The main control work is against rats and mice. This is
spread over the year with wasp and pigeon treatments concentrated
during the summer months. Whether the proximity of
Epping and Halnault Forests is the reason for the large number
of wasps nests is not known, but during certain weeks of the
summer life becomes quite hectic for the operatives.
A rodent survey of both banks of the river Roding was made
by Student Inspectors, and as a result treatments were carried
out against a number of colonies which had become established.
The principal poison used against both rats and mice is
Warfarin, with zinc phosphide as first reserve. Although there
is no evidence so far of the presence of any Warfarin resistsnt
colonies, this is something which will have to be watched
closely.
A complaint of rat infestation in a basement flat in Wanstead
revealed a defective drain and heavy rat infestation of
the drains and public sewers in the neighbourhood. It is proposed
to carry out test baiting of all sewers within the borough
so that the extent of rat infestation can be seen. There is
little doubt in a number of instances that the sewers act as a
reservoir of rats which appear as surface infestations from s
defective or broken drain or sewer.
A summary of properties visited and infestations found is
contained in Appendix 22.
During the year eleven treatments using stupifying bait
have been carried out against feral pigeons, and 327 pigeons
have been destroyed. Pigeons can cause considerable damage
to crops particularly to brassicas in allotments and private
gardens, they disfigure buildings and cause nuisance from
droppings on and in buildings and are a constant hazard to
pedestrians. The use of stupifying bait allows the bird to
recover if it is not collected within a reasonable time, but
this method of treatment has limitations and difficulties can be
encountered in collecting birds in densely built up areas.
Successful treatment were carried out at Wanstead Hospital
Odeon Cinema, Gants Hill and Christchurch Green, Wanstead.