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GRIMEBUSTERS Fans!  CAMDEN BRANCH

COMING SOON: CLARE, COCKROACH-IN-RESIDENCE


THE TROUBLE WITH COCKROACHES (AND THEIR FRIENDS)
Pest Control: Cockroaches and Vermin in Privately-Owned Buildings

Not every building has cockroaches or rats or mice or pigeons, in fact very few buildings have these sorts of problems.
Chenies Street Chambers has never had a continual problem with vermin because any problems are reported immediately, to everyone in the building and to the Camden Pest Control Department. The Camden Pest Control Department  is brilliant. They do private buildings as well, so if you have a problem with vermin, this page tells you what to do, what questions to ask, and how to sort the problem.

Although Terry Gilliam's cockroach, Don, in the first animated film he directed, (Storytime, 1968)  is very endearing, let's not get sentimental about Cockroaches (in Kafka PhD studies, great; in your home, not so great).


Non-metaphorical Cockroaches are bad and if you don't deal with the problem professionally as soon as you see them, they will get worse (and where you see one, there are more).

If you  have a problem with any pests, and you live in a local authority building, simply contact your caretaker / Managing Agent / neighbours / Residents' Association and  also ring the Camden Pest Control Service (0207-974 5976) and they will sort out your problem (you can't start to sort out a problem until you admit you have one, so complain, and complain in writing, as often as you see a cockroach).

FREE ADVICE:

Contact your Council's Pest Control Office for advice or a free inspection, even if you are not living in a Council-owned building. The Camden Pest Control Department is as concerned about  the health of residents in Private Buildings as they are about  people living in Local Authority Buildings.

Cockroaches can live in VERY NICE BUILDINGS - WITH VERY NICE PEOPLE (especially if the very nice people are too embarrassed to tell anyone they have problems). Cockroaches don't 'just go away' if you ignore them - and there's never 'just one.'

If you see cockroaches and you don't like the building anyway, think about moving;  if you love your building, and care about your neighbours, read on.  

Please note that any buildings being discussed are PRIVATELY-OWNED BUILDINGS.

Please note also that any advertisements you see on this site have been placed there by Yahoo, and are not an endorsement from this website  -- aside from the glowing references to Bar Keeper's Friend (which is wonderful for cleaning organic stains). Bar Keeper's Friend is recommended by Wedgwood and available from Waitrose, John Lewis, and of course, the wonderful Lakeland Ltd.  and the equally wonderful hardware shop in Bloomsbury on Leigh Street - Povis and Co.  This little hardware shop is a magical box of practical solutions to all your problems! If you don't see what you want at Povey & Co - ask!


Cockroaches don't 'just go away' If in doubt, call the Camden Pest Control Service (0207-974 5976).

Some people (often private landlords) say all buildings have cockroach infestations. This is not true.

You have to do five things
if you see a cockroach
anywhere in your building:
-- one for each finger --
but you must do them all
as quickly as possible.
PUT EVERYTHING IN WRITING

Do STEP 1 as soon as you see the first cockroach
Do STEP 2 the NEXT time you see a cockroach.
Do STEP 3 the third time you see a cockroach.
Do STEP 4 the same day you have the inspection.
Don't wait more than 21 days  after STEP 4 to do STEP 5

1. STEP ONE:  WRITE TO INFORM  your Residents' Association and your Managing Agent, landlord if you have one (and caretaking service)

E-mail is the simplest way for you to do this. DON'T JUST SPEAK TO ANYONE OR MAKE YOUR COMPLAINT BY TELEPHONE - IT MUST BE WRITTEN TO BE CONSIDERED A COMPLAINT.  The managing agent (appointed by the freeholder of the property)  is responsible for carrying out any inspection/ surveying to establish the level of infestation of cockroach within the block and would be required to carry out any necessary treatment to eradicate the infestation under the Public Health Act 1961 as amended by Public health Act 1936 section 83 and 84 or under the Clean Neighbourhood Act 2005, infestation of cockroach is classified as filthy and verminous (F&V) and is a public health issue.

SUBJ: cockroach____date___time___building____floor____closest flats_____

If possible, combine steps one and two and e-mail this complaint to your managing agents and your residents' association  at the same time and if you have a movile phone that takes pictures, start taking pictures (you'll need proof the cockroaches are there. (as your complaints continue, you can add the rest of the residents and start to add the Area Manager, and then the Regional Manager of the company - as well as copying in your Ward councillor and Pest Control Officer). Whenever you send a complaint, copy them all in so they can see the other places you've sent the complaint.

FOLLOW-UP:


Tell your neighbours at the first sighting of any sort of vermin, as a courtesy , so they can lock away their food (you' like to know if they'd seen something).

Infestations come from somewhere. Depending on the species, it may be a flat nearby, either on your floor, or a floor below or above, but close by - cockroaches flatten themselves to travel through very small gaps in the wall, in wiring and pipes, in gaps around electrical meters  - and some cockroaches fly.


STEP TWO: IF THERE IS ANOTHER SIGHTING
NOTIFY in writing (1) the freeholder and (2) your leaseholder-landlord (3)  your residents' association (backing it up with photographs, dead bugs, videos etc) citing your first cockroach sightings and the latest sighting.
(4) Ring your Ward Councillor (ring the town hall and ask who your councillor is, and to be connected:  0207 278 4444) and report the situation in writing (by e-mail is simplest) as a courtesy to the buildings and neighbours at risk around you. If you feel your landlord isn't doing everything that can be done, ring (5) the Camden Pest Control Service  (0207-974 5976) to arrange an independent inspection for vermin (yes, you can do this as a private citizen, in fact you have a responsibility to your neighbours to do this if you see cockroaches).

FOLLOW-UP:

Report all the sightings in writing every time  and keep written records (which is why e-mails are the easiest way to keep track of your complaints record) (complete date, time, location, dead or alive,  closest flats to the cockroach sighting, with newest sightings at the top of the list).Keep photographs (mobile phones often have a camera) and record the date of the picture carefully. If you have a video camera, use it (use the daily paper front page to establish you are taking the video on the date you say it is).

Don't get discouraged if you are told (by anyone in your building, including your Residents' Association):

          A)  you're the only one complaining -

          B)  you must have cockroaches because you don't keep your house clean --

         C)   you're a private tenant and the freeholder's Managing Agent  won't talk to you, only your leaseholder-landlord -

        OR---you're a leaseholder and the freeholder's Managing Agent won't talk to you, only your Residents' Association -
           

Remember:

        A) It isn't the number of complaints, it is the presence of cockroaches which matters.

        B) Cockroaches love clean flats and yuppie food; if they stumble across your flat, they'll stay until they are forced to leave.

       C) If your landlord and freeholder's Managing Agent won't talk to you,  talk to the Camden Pest Control Officer immediately  - who is VERY nice, and knows the law - particularly the landlord's responsibilities, when informed that there is a cockroach problem in the building.

Your Ward Councillor and Ward Pest Control Officer will be happy to give you advice,  and follow-up if there are any problems, even if you live in a private building.


STEP THREE: REQUEST AN INSPECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PEST by a Pest Control Expert.  As this is a free inspection, with no vested interest on the Inspector's part, arrange with the Camden Pest Control Officer for an inspection of communal corridors etc. and set aside time to ask questions. This session will clear up misconceptions and myths, and re-assure cleaners while pointing out dangers.

For example:
--- it is also perfectly safe to vacuum throughout a building, if you dispose of the bag daily.

--- you must wear non-penetrating rubber gloves and avoid all contact with the gell.

--- if you are removing  old (discoloured) pest gel, you must also give the gel back to the pest company, not just throw it in the rubbish.

The Pest Control officer will make a recommendation for your building. If there are live cockroaches in the corridors, or in flats, the Pest Control Officer will suggest a Block Survey (which is a survey of the Residents of a Block) to determine the extent of the problem (it may then mean, from the survey, that a partial block treatment is required, if it is confined to one part of the building, or a full block treatment may be recommended if the cockroaches are throughout the building. All flats must be fumigated in the area, to make the treatment effective..


FOLLOW-UP
Take photographs, use a video camera, take a witness, anything that means that your complaint must be taken seriously and cannot be dismissed. Keep a record of all sightings of cockroaches, and report the sightings, in writing, to your landlord and freeholder's Managing Agent every time you see a cockroach. Also, do weekly video inspections, or take photographs (with a newspaper showing the date). If you can't video or photograph, then take a friend (or the porter, or the Managing Agent) to verify the sightings.

Ask for a book to be left with the caretaker or at the porter's desk, to make it easy for people to write their complaints about cockroach sightings.  E-mails make it very easy to send multiple complaints, and to keep accurate records. Don't send complaints to everyone as blind copies -  copy everyone in -  and let them see who else has is included as well.  

Find a way to monitor the problem (and also make certain your landlord tells you, and everyone else in the building when they spray, and what chemicals are being used - the chemicals can make some people ill).


STEP FOUR: RECOMMENDED ACTION  by a Pest Control Expert:  Follow-up on  the Pest Control Officer's recommended course of action immediately  - the same day if possible.  For example, if a 'block survey'  (a door-to-door survey of the residents of the block, to see if they have seen any vermin) is recommended,  request a block survey  immediately  in writing from your building's Managing Agent and send a copy to your caretaker, landlord, Residents' Association, Pest Control Officer who made the Inspection and your Ward councillor (e-mail is the easiest way to do this). If you have e-mail - just put them all in the list of people, and send the e-mail. If not, go down to the closest photocopy place and make multiple copies.If you have any doubt that the people might lose your complaint, send the letter to be signed for, so they have to acknowledge they have resceived it, and you have a receipt to prove you have sent it (send a copy to someone you trust, and ask them not to open the letter when they get it).

A Block Survey is very simple and it can be done by residents themselves , knocking on every door.  It can also be done by  the building's Resident's Association, or  the pest control company. Surveys are usually free (and if you're charged, ask why, and tell them Camden Pest Control doesn't charge for block surveys).

A Block Survey can either be a written response, or you knock on people's doors , taking a picture of a cockroach to show them, and ask:
--  have you seen cockroaches in your flat?
--- have you seen them in the corridor?
and tick the boxes.
This is to monitor the movements and pinpoint the problem areas.Once you know where the infestations are in the building, you can start to address the problem (which can't be solved just by spraying corridors - the flats where the infestation occur must be treated). The sooner the residents of a building know there is a problem, the sooner the problem can be sorted.  

FOLLOW-UP:
If you have cockroaches in your flat, insist on professional treatment and seal up any holes or cracks around baseboards, water pipes etc. If you still see cockroaches in corridors a month after your first reported sighting, it means there is still a nearby flat with cockroaches, using domestic spray ( tell your neighbours that a flat will not be cleared of cockroaches, using a domestic spray; the flat will continue to be infested, and the few cockroaches it repels, will wander off to other flats).

STEP FIVE: COMPLETION date of requested recommendation  (ie. block survey)--and progress.
If your freeholder's Managing Agent doesn't respond in two weeks  to your request for a block survey , give your Resident's Association another week to do it instead, and then, if no one has done anything in three weeks, call a friend, using the wording, and do a block survey, surveying the residents of your building,  yourself.

FOLLOW-UP:
Talk to people (the block survey will help). Ask questions, try to eliminate human error (if you see unsealed rubbish and you know there's no rubbish collection for a long time, seal it and take it to the outside bin, even if it isn't yours, tell your neighbours if you have a problem - and help them if they need help). Talk to your neighbours, and keep talking until the problem is understood and a solution is put into place.  Keep all your records, keep doing and sending the inspections to everyone, and keep the Pest Control Officer and your Ward Councillor informed.

EPEST CONTROL PETE WORKS FOR DAGENHAM, BUT EVERY LOCAL COUNCIL HAS ITS HEROES -
RESOURCE PEOPLE FOR THE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION:
Dave Coleman has very kindly agreed to answer practical matters (inspections and general background). Chamberlain Chi - chi O'kasi, Supervising Principal Environmental Health Officer, Pollution Control Team (Chamberlain.O'Kasi@Camden.gov.uk ) on more technical or legal matters (legal rights and responsibilities).  Please note that all the useful information has come from them, in the Questions and Answers section, and any errors are a misunderstanding of anything they have said.  

If in doubt, ring your local Pest Control Officer for free advice and clarification.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
(FIRST QUESTIONS)

QUESTION 1. What do you do if your building has cockroaches?
1) If an infestation is suspected, say in a block of 50 flats you have 6/7 complaints these could be linked either by pipe-work systems, heating etc, a block survey should take place. This could be as simple as knocking on all doors in the block and asking tenants if they have a problem, or if they have seen any unusual insects in their property (they may not know what a cockroach looks like so it maybe worth taking a picture with you). It is unlikely you will get an answer from every flat but you should get enough information to make a judgment from this you should be able to determine level and spread of infestation, which should lead you to three possible conclusions.
A) Full block treatment required. ('block treatment' just means treatment of the block or building).
B) Part block treatment required (where there are no possible links from infested part of the block to the rest of the building).
C) Block treatment not required at present, possible to contain & eradicate by single treatments alone.
The survey to be honest, should really only need to be undertaken once, and when completed acted upon by any of the three options above.

QUESTION 2   What is a Block Survey?

2) A Block Survey is just a survey of the residents of your building and it is a simple procedure - it can either be a written response, or you knock on people's doors and ask:
-- have you seen cockroaches in your flat?
-- have you seen them in the corridor?
-- and tick the boxes
This is to monitor the movements and pinpoint the problem areas. When you do the survey, show people a picture of a cockroach - some people don't know the funny bugs they keep seeing are cockroaches. Once we know where the infestations are in the building, we can start to address the problem (which can't be solved just by spraying corridors - the flats where the infestation occur must be treated professionally).

QUESTION 3. How much does it cost to do a Block Survey?

3) I can only go on what Camden Council's Pest Control Department does, but I would imagine most companies are the same; their surveys are free.


QUESTION 4.  If there are cockroaches in another part of the building, well away from the first reported infestations, should a block survey be done?(and if so, how soon after the reported sighting of cockroaches in the corridor).

4) If cockroaches have been found in a different part of the building from where you have had reported problems yes, a block survey should be done.

QUESTION 5. How many cockroaches make an infestation?

5) Are you asking how many cockroaches in a flat or block? The best answer I can give on this, is if it is a flat and you are seeing cockroach on a regular basis even a couple a week, I would say that is an infestation, maybe not in the flat itself, but they are coming from somewhere (more than likely a neighbouring flat to the side or up or down) and to be getting cockroach on a regular basis there is an infestation that has a healthy population that is, and has the capability to spread to other areas of the building.

QUESTION 6.   If there are flats are being treated for cockroaches, shouldn't there be monitoring traps in the hallways?

6) If all flats are being treated I would not feel that trapping in the hallways is a necessity. Monitor traps are as stated, a monitoring device, they are not a control method. The reason for them is twofold:
          1) It tells you if there is an infestation and what species.
          2) It gives a rough idea the level of population.
As it has already been established, that there is a population present in this area, and they are in the first instance coming into the corridor from inside a flat or flats.
If the only treatments that are taking place are individual ones, and as they have been going on for some considerable time it would be quite reasonable to suggest that this is no longer an effective, or sustainable method of control.
I don't know what extra you will gain by continually placing monitors in these areas, the insects are not going to go away, we know they are there, and it seems that we are coming to the conclusion that it is fairly likely a block control is going to be necessary to eradicate this pest. Once this is underway, it maybe worthwhile re-trapping these areas to see how progress is being made, but cant really see the point until that happens.

QUESTION 7  What is Block Control?

-- to control the whole block (or building) through professionally treating all flats.


QUESTION 8    What's wrong with cockroaches?

8) They may spread disease and they contaminate food.



QUESTION 9  

The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949   makes it an offence to knowingly have an infestation and not take the appropriate action.

'to knowingly have an infestation' - does that mean if you just say you didn't know you had a pest, nothing can be done? What is considered 'appropriate action?'


9)  In our block control letters we do state that we need to visit all flats within the block whether or not they feel they have a problem.

Tenants who refuse to co-operate are reported to the relevant district housing office for them to gain access under the Tenancy agreement - I would imagine that private landlords have something written into their leases also where they should be granted reasonable access for repairs of required works etc. However this is not always a simple task; they may have to apply to the courts for entry warrants. If you do this you must show that you have made every reasonable effort to gain access. The law is fairly well weighted in favour of the Tenant. You can gain access, but it can take some time.

QUESTION 10   How toxic is the old 'glue' poison -- and how do you remove it from your ceiling? How long is it effective? Is there any alternative to using it?

10) The cockroach gel has very low mammalian toxicity, it can be safely removed with an old blade or something similar. It will not give off fumes, so a pair of disposable gloves is all that would be required. The waste material can be kept in something like a specimen pot, and then given to the pest control technician on his next visit for proper disposal. It varies how long this material would be effective or attractive to the insect, but as a rough guide I think once it starts to discolour it could be removed. At present I would say this is the safest and most effective way of dealing with this insect, and I would stick by its use.

QUESTION 11      Under what circumstances do pest control companies decide to use spray? Do they, or the landlord, have to inform people before they do so?

11) All companies vary on when they decide to use sprays, some only use sprays. As far as I'm aware, they do not have to tell you a long time beforehand they intend to spray, but clients should be given a form to read and sign before treatment starts which details what chemical they are intending to use, along with some basic safety information.

QUESTION 12    Is it safe to have plants on the window sill in an infected area? (They won't lay eggs at the bottom of the plant pot, will they?) Are there any plants that are natural repellents, so you can be sure the cockroaches won't be crawling on them?

12)  No reason why you can't have pot plants. I do not know of any that have repellent qualities, and no, as a rule they will not lay eggs in the bottom of these.

QUESTION 13  Do sonic plug-in repellent devices work?

13) I don't like them, and I think if they did work at all, it would be for a limited time only.


QUESTION 14   Can you do a block survey (a survey of the residents of the block) for other pests and vermin: cockroaches, rats, mice, pigeons, silver-fish, pharaoh ants, wasps and clothes moths?

14) Yes, it would be very useful. Of course, the one thing the landlord won't take responsibility for is clothes moths. If anyone does have problems with clothes moths, it really would be down to the tenant(s)  themselves to arrange eradication.


QUESTION 15   Can you get rid of your problem if someone in the building whose flat is infested refuses to fumigate?

15) No. you can control it, but without a complete block treatment,  or partial block treatment (if that is what is recommended)  without treating a source, the problem will return to other flats.

QUESTION 16  I've asked for a block survey, but instead, the freeholder has asked two pest control companies to bid on the job. Don't they have to do a block survey to see if the cockroaches are somewhere else in the building as well ? There were no monitoring traps in a part of the building, away from the original infestation , where cockroaches have also now been reported.

If they are intending to do all the units anyway there would be no point in surveying. They are effectively saying that they have accepted there is a problem throughout the block.

So, when the company comes to do the work, all flats will be surveyed, treated/trapped as appropriate, if there is nothing there in the extension, fine. If there is, it will be dealt with when they complete the block programme. So I can't honestly see that monitoring beforehand will serve any purpose, apart from delaying your block control treatments while you are waiting for this to be done.


QUESTION 17:  IS THE FREEHOLDER/ MANAGEMENT AGENT RESPONSIBLE IF AN INFESTATION CONTINUES?


Yes, the management agent are responsible for carrying out any inspection/ surveying to establish the level of infestation of cockroach within the block and would be required to carry out any necessary treatment to eradicate the infestation under the Public Health Act 1961 as amended by Public health Act 1936 section 83 and 84 or under the Clean Neighbourhood Act 2005, infestation of cockroach is classified as filthy and verminous (F&V) and is a public health issue.

If the infestation is found to be generalised, a block treatment would be necessary to eradicate the pest, however if the infestation is localised, treatment should only be carried out within the affected flats/premises

If they fail to respond within a reasonable time, you may wish to progress matters through the Citizens Advice Bureau or contact an Environmental Health officer (residential section) on 0207 974 2090.


QUESTION 18: What's a reasonable time?
Ask the Environmental Health Officer.


QUESTION 19:    JUST TO CLARIFY:
I can make a complaint as a private person about any building, can't I, whether I live there or not - if I see cockroaches or other vermin?
yes



     

QUESTION 21: Are there any council-owned buildings in Camden that have cockroaches, or is it just found in privately owned buildings?

Yes, there are some Council owned flats that have cockroach problems. At the present time they are at a level where they are being dealt with on an individual basis, and we are not undertaking any block control programmes for cockroach infestation at this moment in time.

QUESTION 22.  I live in a privately owned building. Following my written complaint to you of cockroaches, you inspected the communal areas and saw live cockroaches. It is now nearly two months since your inspection, I've reported sightings in writing to my Managing Agents and there are still live cockroaches in the communal areas. What is to be done?

I'm not quite certain of what is meant by the last line of your message.

My brief, as far as I am aware, was to inspect your building and from this, be able to give you recommendations of what need to be actioned from there, Which I have done so.

As far as I know your building is privately owned and the landlords have in place their own pest control company who are, as far as my understanding treating flats on an individual basis.

You will be aware that my recommendation was, that I did not feel the treatment being provided was adequate and that a full survey with a block, or part block control would be the solution here.

This was conveyed to your landlords, and from what I remember they had agreed to do this.

We (the council) have not been asked by your management company to survey or provide a specification to complete any works. So I would imagine your landlords would have instructed their appointed contractors for a quote, or may have asked other company's to do the same.

Therefore your question "what is to be done?" should really be put to your management company.

If they fail to respond within a reasonable time, you may wish to progress matters through the Citizens Advice Bureau or contact an Environmental Health officer (residential section) on 0207 974 2090

QUESTION 23. Is it safe to use Recycling Bags in a block with cockroaches?

Recycling bags: I can't see any reason why this should not continue at the moment, and although I know you get the odd cockroach in the hallways I don't think it a large enough problem for you stop the practice at this time.

QUESTION 24. What's an Infestation?

There are no hard and fast rules to whether a property or properties are classed as having an infestation. Terminology means different things to different people.

Myself, I would say that if you have a persistent problem with cockroaches entering your house or flat, it could be classed as you suffering an infestation of cockroaches from an infested flat, property, or outside source.

I would not class seeing one or two cockroaches over a couple of months say, as an infestation, but as a slight or minor problem with cockroaches, but others may look upon it differently, it's all a matter of degrees and your perception of the issue.

QUESTION 25. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO FUMIGATE A FLAT?
It's now anuary 2009 and I've been complaining since March 2008. Just seeing 16 dead cockroaches and stinking rubbish bags in a window alcove are enough. The cockroaches seem to be increasing, and the Residents' Association is quite clearly down-playing the problem. Can Camden Pest Control Department do work for private residents?

As for the pest control department supplying a service to private residents. Yes we can, but we will need the tenant to make an appointment with us and there will be a charge, that is payable at the time of the first visit (appointments line 0207 974 5976)
the cost would be £63.00 (inc) which will cover two visits.

Unfortunately we could not complete any works until specifically asked to do so either by private tenants or your housing management company.

That's VERY useful to know - I had no idea we could just employ you ourselves (and I'll pass it on to interested parties).
I assume 'private tenants' also includes leaseholders - who are just long-term assured private tenants.

Yes it does


16 dead cockroaches and stinking rubbish bags in a window alcove are enough: could you give me a contact in Environmental Health?

I will forward your enquiry on to EH residential for you.

AND AGAIN, FOR A LEGAL INSPECTION AND LEGAL  ADVICE ABOUT LANDLORDS AND FREEHOLDERS' RESPONSIBILITIES TO LEASEHOLDERS AND TENANTS......

resource person: Chamberlain Chi - chi O'kasi
Supervising Principal Environmental Health Officer
Pollution Control Team.

The management agent is responsible for carrying out any inspection/ surveying to establish the level of infestation of cockroach within the block and would be required to carry out any necessary treatment to eradicate the infestation under the Public Health Act 1961 as amended by Public Health Act 1936 section 83 and 84 or under the Clean Neighbourhood Act 2005, infestation of cockroach is classified as filthy and verminous (F&V) and is a public health issue.

If the infestation is found to be generalised, a block treatment would be necessary to eradicate the pest, however if the infestation is localised, treatment should only be carried out within the affected flats/premises

OTHER AGENCIES
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is a professional, awarding and campaigning body at the forefront of environmental and public health and safety.
website: http://www.cieh.org/


OTHER PESTS AND THEIR PROBLEMS: RATS

OTHER PESTS AND THEIR PROBLEMS: PIGEONS

HOW TO CONDUCT A  DOOR - TO - DOOR SURVEY OF THE BLOCK (BUILDING)

TAKE A FRIEND,  A PEN AND A FORM TO FILL IN, LISTING ALL THE FLATS AND KNOCK ON EVERY DOOR.
NOTE THE NUMBER OF THE FLAT AND THE RESPONSE.

SAY:  "Hello, I'm from __________.   We are doing a survey of the whole block today, (requested by  _____  ).  I don't need to come in, and I won't keep you a minute, but we are getting reports of (whatever the pest is) from other people in this building and we wondered if you have had a problem at all?"

[Carry a book to show the person a picture if they can't speak English, or are not sure what the pest we are asking about looks like. ]

Note what the person has said and sometimes (if applicable), draw a rough diagram of the estate or block to see if there is a pattern of infestation, which may mean we could treat as a part block if it is limited to one side and there is no physical connection to other parts of the estate.

This is a cockroach (much enlarged)
It is as long as your thumb's fingernail
13mm (half an inch).
PETE      PETE THE PEST CONTROLLER (AND FRIENDS)  - SIGHTINGS
list your own fan club and comments!   http://www.tvguide.co.uk/detail.asp?id=2729482Grimebusters - PAY PER VIEW episodes (note that Sky thinks it comes under 'Culture')
https://skyplayer.sky.com/vod/content/SKYCULTURE/Hidden_Channels/SRL_Ordinary.../promoPage.do

Monday, October 27 2008 ITV 11:10 ti 11:45 p.m.
Pete the pest controller tackles an infestation of cockroaches. Wolverhampton's restaurant inspectors make a surprise visit. Dagenham's graffiti removal team continue the battle against the budding Banksys. And extreme cleaner Nick clears a revolting house in south London.

ARE YOU A FAN OF PETE? DO YOU HATE VERMIN TOO? START YOUR OWN CLUB AND BE YOUR OWN GRIMEBUSTER!   QUESTION NINETEEN'S ANSWER WAS THAT ANYONE CAN REPORT A BUILDING TO THEIR LOCAL COUNCIL'S PEST CONTROL DEPARTMENT IF THEY SEE VERMIN (INCLUDING COCKROACHES) ....  SEE THE 'OFFICIAL NUMBER ONE FAN CLUB'S'    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH PETE'S CAMDEN COLLEAGUES DAVE AND CHAMBERLAIN (CAMDEN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH).

WHO'S WHO:

Emma Barker, Executive Producer, Grimebusters
OTHER CREDITS:
BFI | Film & TV Database | BARKER, Emma
http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/304841?view=credit

Emma Barker - Movies and TV | LocateTV
http://www.locatetv.com/person/emma-barker/4041

Henry Cole (Narrator) Grimebusters
OTHER CREDITS AND BIO:
Travel Channel | presenters | Henry Cole
http://www.travelchannel.co.uk/Series/ourprogrammes/presenters/Henry_Cole.htm

Wolverhampton City Council -
21 Aug 2008 ... A camera crew for ITV’s Grimebusters has been following the council’s unsung heroes to show the behind-the-scenes work that takes place ... www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/government_democracy/council/documents/news/press_releases/2008/august/210808a.htm

Barking and Dagenham -
ITV's Grimebusters has been out filming with the Council's environment and enforcement services for a six-week television series. ...
www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/2-press-release/press-release-menu.cfm?item_code=2866

A CULTURAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
OTHER FILMS,  TV SHOWS, BOOKS, ARTICLES, RECIPES, PLAYS, POEMS,ABOUT COCKROACHES:

work in progress. 09.09.2009 cartoon: Colin Shelbourn creates 'Clare the Cockroach' for a story-book in progress by Kim Morrissey.

2009 Litter notices in Rome feature a couple of cheerful cockroaches.

film: Storytime [1968, 8 minutes 37 seconds] directed and animated by Terry Gilliam.  
His first film. Don't get attached to Don the cheerful little cockroach who loves being a cockroach! (he only lasts for the first  minute and a half (although he is resurrected, briefly 2:23 to 2:47 before the notice that the animator is sacked).
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/terry-gilliams-storytime.html

film: WALL-E has a cockroach for a friend

film: THEY CRAWL [2001] low budget horror which includes one scene with Mickey Rourke.
Director: John Allardice;Writers: Curtis Joseph (writer);David Mason (writer); Genre: Horror | Sci-Fi ;
Plot Keywords:Insect | Mutant | Cockroach ;
User Comments:They...SUCK!!!!! more cast details at:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299712/

tv documentary: THE THIN GREEN LINE (Granada) featuring Bryon Hunt (mentioned by Bryon hunt in his Salford bio)

tv documentary: A LIFE OF GRIME (British,  Salford City Council, 2001, BBC)
A Life of Grime - Salford City Council10 Jul 2008 ... http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/rubbish/grime.htm
Over a six month period in Summer 2001 a BBC camera crew shadowed environmental health staff from Salford Environmental Services. As well as featuring Pest Control officer Peter McCarthy (ants, cockroaches or wasps' nests), the show includes, amongst others, Pest Control officers Bryan Hunt (pigeons and squirrels) Graham Hulse (fleas and bedbugs), Steve Hodginson (rats or mice). This series also produced the excellent Life of Grime Special: Mr Trebus http://movie-tv-episode-database.com/Documentary/Life-of-Grime-Special-Mr-Trebus-66618/
Current TV listings at: http://www.locatetv.com/tv/life-of-grime/38340

tv documentary: GRIMEBUSTERS (British, based in London, Dagenham, etc. ITV,2007, 2008)
2007: Press Releases. Barking and Dagenham.ITV's Grimebusters has been out filming with the Council's environment and enforcement services for a six-week television series. ...www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/2-press-release/press-release-menu.cfm?item_code=2866 - 12k
2008: Wolverhampton City Council - Grimebusters set to clean up in the ...21 Aug 2008 ... A camera crew for ITV’s Grimebusters has been following the council’s unsung heroes to show the behind-the-scenes work that takes place....
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/government_democracy/council/documents/news/press_releases/2008/august/210808a.htm
AUGUST 2008: Grimebusters and houses of horrors3 posts - Last post: 21 Aug 2008 Leicester, Aug 21 (IANS) An Indian-born housing officer of the Leicester city council is the star of the latest ITV documentary series beginning Thursday to draw attention to a growing problem of the bad conditions in which tenants vacate their dwellings.The first episode shows housing officer Ajay Pandya and his team cleaning a filthy bed-sit in the Highfields area which was filled to the rafters with rubbish, used needles, urine and human excrement.
www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/grimebusters-and-houses-of-horrors_10086854.html

tv documentary: VERMINATORS (American, based in California Discovery Channel, 2008)
Bedbugs, roaches and rats, oh my! Follow an elite team of pestbusters on their never-ending battle against all kinds of infestations.Verminators is a reality television show produced by Original Productions of Burbank, California and broadcast in the United States on the Discovery Channel. The program follows the employees of the Los Angeles-based pest control company ISOTECH .
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/verminators/verminators.html

tv documentary: DIRTY JOBS (American, 2004).
Host Mike Rowe is shown performing difficult, strange, disgusting, and/or messy occupational duties alongside the typical employees. The show premiered with two pilot episodes in November 2004. It returned as a series on July 26, 2005. There is also a European edition of the show, hosted by former Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. An Australian version of the show commenced airing on the Nine Network from October 7, 2007.

RECIPE: CHOCOLATE COVERED COCKROACHES (find a free-range cockroach; dip in melted chocolate, add a dash of freshly ground chili - crunchy!)

THE BIGGER PICTURE: We want all buildings, commercial and residential, privately-owned and council-owned, to be put on a Pest Register, and have their Pest History made available upon request,  to alert other residents in buildings and businesses nearby of any  pest infestation of a building. We want all pest control to be provided free to residents. Ask your Ward Councillor to see what can be done in your borough to work towards this goal. You can't find a solution until people admit they have a problem. As well as being a celebration of Pete and a tribute to all the Local Council's Pest Controllers, this site is dedicated to the memories of Rose Hacker and Irene Bruegul, and their friend Millie Miller. These wonderful women were great practical defenders of public housing and decent housing standards (amongst other things). Funny, witty, compassionate and passionate in the face of injustice, they were good company  as well, in the fight to make all landlords accountable. Irene's technique to prove that stairs are dirty (clean half of each stair,  and clean all the way up, and take a photograph) is a practical solution to the definition of dirt. (It works!)  They are sadly missed.           THE OFFICIAL PETE THE PEST CONTROLLER NUMBER ONE FANS! CAMDEN BRANCH. ESTABLISHED 07.11.2008.

TOWER HAMLETS
SOURCE: http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/data/environment/data/enviornment-nuisance/Data/vermin.cfm

Filthy or verminous premises

The Environmental Protection Team has a statutory duty to deal with filthy and/or verminous premises, under section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and section 83 of the Public Health Act 1936.

Where any premises are in a condition of disrepair or serious lack of cleanliness, then the Local Authority can serve an Abatement Notice. The notice is usually served on the occupier, the landlord or building owner.

Infestation by rats or mice

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to take action to eradicate the infestation in respect of all residential and commercial premises. This service is free in respect of residential properties.

Infestation by fleas, cockroaches or other insect pests

The Local Authority may provide treatment for residential properties, but can make a charge for such services. All such enquiries should be referred to the Pest Control Team.

Checks should be made for any previous involvement by the Social Services Department etc. regarding the occupier.

If thorough cleansing of the dwelling house is required, the owner will need to engage the services of a specialist dirty contractor.

All cleansing operations, are normally overseen by the EHO or case officer with the assistance of the Team Leader (Pest Control).The Pest Control Team has a list of approved specialist dirty contractors who should be able to assist if required

Filthy and/or verminous articles

Articles that can be salvaged may require either steam cleansing or disinfection by an approved chemical disinfectant. Otherwise articles will be removed and destroyed.

Filthy or verminous pets

The Animal Warden Service should be fully involved. Treatment of pets should be undertaken by an approved Veterinary Surgeon. although an owner can apply proprietary dusting powders and flea collars for minor infestations.

Filthy or verminous persons

The Social Services Department and Area Health Authority should be consulted immediately in the case of any person who is lousy or suspected of suffering from a notifiable infectious disease. Under section 85 of the Public Health Act 1936, the affected person can be removed to a disinfecting station or hospital for treatment for lice or other notifiable infectious disease.

OTHER PESTS AND THEIR PROBLEMS: RATS

OTHER PESTS AND THEIR PROBLEMS: PIGEONS

The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949   makes it an offence to knowingly have an infestation and not take the appropriate action.