Rats in the walls keep north Glasgow resident awake at night as homes 'overrun' with rodents

A Glasgow resident says he is 'disgusted' and unable to sleep as rats 'overrun' his flat in the north of the city.

Michael Carey and mum Agnes Martin, 50, fear for their health as they say rodents are infesting their home and others in Fountainwell Drive, Sighthill area.

The 25-year-old says locals, a mix of private and housing association residents, face daily battles with the pests who can be heard in the walls and floors as well as entering flats, with droppings being found on the floor.

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Michael told Glasgow Live: "There are five rat holes under the building. We've reported it to Wheatley, our housing association, and they and the council keep going back and forth on who is responsible so nothing gets done.

"People have been complaining but we are at a loss for what to do now because both the council and housing say it's the other's responsibility because a lot of the flats are private.

"It's been ongoing for a year, and has got worse since the new houses went up at Northbridge.

"I've been here for all of my life and I've never heard them in the house until now. You can hear them in the wall and you can hear them in the floors below.

"We know they are getting into the rooms as well. Glasgow City Council put in pest control boxes and you can see loads of droppings around them. We've already caught one.

"It's not just us. My upstairs neighbour has already caught three or four and there's another one they are trying to get. The place is swarming with rats.

"People are scared to put their bins out the back of the building because they are everywhere at all hours of the day and night. They are scared of getting bitten. If I was to go down there I would see them.

Videos shared with Glasgow Live show the pests coming in and out of the holes in the ground as well as playing on a motorbike located at the back of the building.

Michael claims the area is overrun with the pests, and that he has seen up to 10 at a time from his window.

He continued: "We don't feel safe here. I only stay with my mum a couple of days a week due to work and I can't sleep. They wake you up at 3 or 4am constantly with noises. I keep sleeping in for work because you can hear them at all hours.

"Night time is definitely the worst, you can hear them moving about. We've had to shut off a room because they keep getting in. Luckily we can shut the door so they can't get into the kitchen. But everyone here is stressed.

"My mum has stayed in the area all of her life. And now she has to deal with rats in her house. It's disgusting. I don't think anyone is doing their job right here.

"People should feel safe in their own homes."

Glasgow Live previously reported that the new £250 million development just down the road has faced similar issues with residents reporting swarms of rats that have left residents scared to leave their homes.

Northbridge was meant to be a dream for homeowners and housing association tenants alike with work to complete the 824 newbuild estate starting in 2020, as part of the regeneration of Sighthill. But residents told us earlier this year that the dream has turned into a nightmare as rats 'overrun' the estate, climbing up through walls and nesting in cars.

Images shared by residents show the vermin in gardens, in the middle of the street and under car bonnets as locals told how they have to jangle keys and make loud noises to scare the pests when leaving or entering their homes - leaving many fearing for their health.

Glasgow City Council previously admitted they were aware of the problem and pest control experts were working with Lowther Homes and housebuilders Keepmoat to fix the issue.

Wheatley Homes say they have inspected the building and are carrying out repairs. Although, they say that due to the mix of private housing and their own, they need the majority permission of the owners for structural work to the block to be carried out and Glasgow City Council is responsible for treating the rats outside the building.

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to hear of these issues and we’re doing everything we can to help.

"The first we were made aware of this was last month and the tenant was advised to get in touch with pest control. The tenant was back in touch recently to report an issue with mice.

“We've been out to inspect the block twice to see what work needs done. A joiner is also going out this week to fill in any holes in the tenant’s flat.

"We're continuing to offer the tenant advice and support to get these issues fixed as soon as possible."

A spokesman said: “We are aware of issues with rats at these properties and our pest control team has responded to calls for assistance from residents. Rats are always in search of a source of food and so it is essential that food waste is always properly contained within a suitable bin.

“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and undertake follow-up pest control treatments as appropriate.”

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