A26 - Wednesday, June 17, 1981 - North Shore News

on Nort

As long as man has existed
on this earth, rats have been
unwelcome visitors. The
North Shore is no exception,
and last year the Vector
Control Officer from the
North Shore Health
Departc. received 364
complaints concerning
rodents.

While it may be im-
possible to totally eradicate
these pests, a great deal can
be done by us all to control |
their numbers to the point
that their existence is seldom
noted.

As a temporary measure,
trapping and. baiting
properly carried out may get
rid of them, ‘but to achieve
long term effective control
we should be aware of the
basic conditions for their
survival and to do our best to
deny them.

Like all living things, rats
must have water, food and
shelter. We cannot do much

about water on the North ©

Shore. Food, we can.
Reducing potential food
sources for the rats is
essential. Remove —fallen
fruit; and nuts, pet food,
animal feed and garbage
form the ground. Bird
feeders should be built and

RATS POSE a great health hazard on the North Shore.

Health clinic

ne

Rats a pro lem

that they do not invite rats
for a free meal.

Compost heaps can also
be a rodent food source and
should be set up properly.
Do not throw table scraps
(meat, fat and egg shells)
onto your compost pile.
These items belong in the
garbage container.
Vegetable peelings and
rotten fruit can be added to
the compost, but should be
covered once a month with a
layer of garden lime and top

soil to reduce their at-—

traction to rats. Household

garbage should be stored in “|:
strong . plastic -

metal, or
containers which have a
tight-fitting lid. Plastic

garbage bags are no barrier .

to rats.

Untidy premises are an
invitation for rats to move
into a neighbourhood. Their
opportunities to find shelter
can be thwarted through
rodent proofing of all
buildings and removal of any
piles of debris, junk, lumber,
tall grass and weeds from the
property.

If you:See any signs of rats
or if you have any questions

about: ‘the: control of rodents;

please” contact the North
Shore Health Department at

for youngsters

The mental health clinic
for children, adolescents and
their families is ane of the
community services offered
by the North Shore Health
Department. The aim of this
service is to promote good
mental health in the com-
munity by emphasizing carly
detection and alleviation of
emotional and behavioural
difficulties in children and
adolescents.

The clinic is at present
staffed by four clinical
psychologists and two
psychiatrists — people who
are trained in diagnosing and
treating social, emotional
and behavioural difficulties
in children and adolescents.

The referrals are open to
all residents of the North
Shore. The can be initiated
by the parents themselves or
by family physicians,
schools, social workers, or
community health nurses.

The treatment program, if
suggested by the = initial
assessment, varics dcpen-
ding on the age of the child,
the problems in the family,
the therapist's preference,
ctc. However, it generally
has three facets — working
directly with the child or the

adolescent (play therapy or
counselling), directly with
the parents or the entire
family, and ongoing school
consultations.

The goal of the therapists
is to help their clients learn
new ways of doing things so
that they may get along
better with cach other and
be better able to cope with
the daily stresses of life.

Copies of brochures
describing this service in
more detail both = for

professionals and agencies
and for parents are available
upon request.

PHOTOS
FOR SALE

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday only

986-6222

if you want to
order. a photo that
appeared in the
NEWS, calli lisa
Cameron

TERTAINING niors at Lions Gate Hospital’s Extended Care Unit‘are students of Eastview Elementary School.
The students did a terrific job and were much rch appreciated. (Ellsworth Dickson phere!

Saturday, June 20th, the City and District of North Vancouver will be
conducting a Community Disaster Alert Test.

All Disaster Alert Sirens will sound simultaneously, once during the
daylight hours.

When you hear the sirens, proceed quickly and calmly to the nearest
television and tune to Cable Channel 10. You will be instructed on
what to do in the event of a real emergency.

Wi This test is being conducted for your protection and safety.
Wi Your co-operatic onand attention will be for your own benefit.

Saturday June 20th. Disaster Alert!
. | ee
For Further information please call:
Fire Department, District. of North Vancouver, 980-7575