Liverpool family ‘forced to flee home’ by infestation of one FOOT long rats

A mum-of-seven claims hundreds of FOOT LONG rats have forced her to flee her rodent-infested home.

Carla Hazlett, from Bootle, Liverpool, said the rats scoffed £2,500 worth of carpets, worktops and furniture.

They also chewed her possessions and left droppings and urine all over her children’s clothes, the 41-year-old said.

One photo showing a dead rat next to 19-year-old son Steven’s shoe, show the rodents have grown up to 30cm long from head to tail.

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Carla, who has lived in the property with Steven and her other children Scott 14, Simi 10, Summer, eight, Seren, seven, Sunny, three and Spencer, two, for two years, claims she first spotted the vermin 18 months ago.

And she alleges after complaining to Sefton Council’s pest control department she was initially told the home invaders were actually MICE.

The terrified mum has even had her kids tested for Weil’s disease – a severe bacterial infection passed on by rats causing flu-like symptoms – after son Sunny fell ill.

“There are hundreds of rats and they are into absolutely everything. I can hear them in the walls and ceilings and they have dug holes in the cellar,” said Carla.

“I have found rat droppings and urine on my kids’ clothes in the cupboards so I have had to throw everything out.

“The rats have chewed all my carpets and it has cost me thousands – I had carpeted the house for £1,000 and I had to put a £1,500 three-piece suite outside because there were rat droppings all in it.

She added: “It has left me with absolutely nothing and I am at my wits’ end. I came into the house with all my stuff and now all I have remaining is two beds, two units, a goldfish tank stand, a television stand and a TV.

Carla hsa pleaded with landlords One Vision Housing to let her leave the property while Sefton Council pest controllers clear out the rats.

The housing association has now sorted a three -edroom property for the family to move into temporarily.

But Carla claims the infestation has caused health problems for her children.

“It is really disruptive for them and they need to have their own space so moving to a smaller property is not helpful.”

A One Vision Housing spokesperson said: “While Sefton Council Environmental Health is treating the property in Oriel Road for the eradication of pests, we have offered the family temporary housing in a nearby address.

“Unfortunately, we did not have any five bedroom homes available, and were only able to offer a three bedroom home, which Ms Hazlett accepted during a recent meeting with her neighbourhood officer.”