A young mum has said that she and her three-year-old daughter were left "trapped" inside their flat by a horrific infestation of rats in the garden.
Kayleigh Ormston says she is too scared to open her window after four years of watching rats scurry about.
The 26-year-old claims to have seen up to five of the vermin at once in the shared garden block of her Newcastle flat.
More recently, rats have been seen eating through bin lids, and this week Kayleigh spotted one crawling on the windowsill where her daughter's dinner was cooling.
Kayleigh told Chronicle Live the rats have been there for four years but despite several visits from pest control and notifying Newcastle City Council, they say it was only reported last year.
The ordeal has led to her request that she and her daughter be moved into a different property, but she was denied this option.
Kayleigh moved into the building made up of six flats with a shared back garden, four years ago, becoming a mum to Harley a year later.
"The rats have been a problem ever since we moved in," she said.
“Envirocall have been out and put pellets down but they’re still coming back – the man who came said they’re just not dying.
“They dug underneath the wall and found that rats were under my bathroom floor.
“The man from pest control said it was really bad and that I should get in touch with the council because there’s no way we could stay in those conditions.
“With me having a daughter I can’t be living like that.
“I asked if we could be moved but they said there was nothing they could do.”
Queen 'exasperated' at Harry and Meghan and will 'no longer stay silent'
Kayleigh added: “It’s got worse this year – they’re just everywhere.
“I see them all the time, every time I look out the window. I’ve seen about five at once.
“My daughter can’t play out, we’re stuck in constantly. I don’t want to be here at all.
“They’ve started eating their way through the bin lids now as well.”
She said the most terrifying incident came this week when she saw one crawling on her windowsill.
Get latest news headlines delivered free
Want all the latest shocking news and views from all over the world straight into your inbox?
We've got the best royal scoops, crime dramas and breaking stories – all delivered in that Daily Star style you love.
Our great newsletters will give you all you need to know, from hard news to that bit of glamour you need every day. They'll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.
You can sign up here – you won't regret it…
“I went to put my daughter’s dinner on the windowsill to cool down and it was there. I just slammed the window shut and screamed.
“Now we’ve got the windows shut all the time as we’re too scared, so there’s no air getting into the flat.
“I just can’t be comfortable and safe in my own home.”
Jen Vinton, customer services director at Your Homes Newcastle, said: “Ms Ormston contacted us in July 2020 to report rats on communal land outside her property and we visited three times during July 2020 and August 2020 to carry out a course of pest control treatment along with a follow-up inspection to ensure the treatment had been effective.
"We have received no further reports from Ms Ormston since then, however we have recently carried out a new course of pest control treatment following new reports of rats from other residents in the area and we will be monitoring the situation closely.
"We also intend to carry out a range of planned repairs to drainage and brickwork in the area to prevent any further issues.
“We appreciate how distressing it can be to see rats near your home and we will continue to do everything we can to help manage the problem.
“We are aware of Ms Ormston’s desire to move and encourage her to continue bidding for suitable properties through the Tyne and Wear Homes scheme she is registered with.”
Source: Read Full Article
