Labour-run council facing its worst rat epidemic in 30 years as rodents run riot in people's kitchen and bedrooms

One woman became so fearful of giant rats attacking her pet puppy that she decided to leave her home.

In another instance, a single parent has had to tell his children not to visit out of safety concerns due to the influx of the pests.

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Pest control experts have said the crisis is the worst they have seen in 30 years.

Rodent expert Sean Whelan, who runs HPC247 Whelan Pest Control in Southampton, said: “'I have never seen so many rats on the streets of Southampton.”

He also claimed that in some parts of the city, infestations had skyrocketed 30 per cent year on year.

Whelan said that the factor contributing most to the influx of the pests is the Government not giving local authorities enough money to be spent on waste and pest services.

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He said in lots of areas, houses of multiple occupation - known as HMOs - only had one bin for all residents.

“That means that six people are all using one bin, meaning that rubbish is being put into black bags and left outside - this of course invites rats,” he said.

“People also feeding the birds in the city’s parks is attracting rats and not something I would encourage."

Whelan also said that he would be “happy” to sit down with Southampton City Council to discuss ways to combat the citywide issue.

Residents in a council-managed block of flats for pensioners that are dealing with a particularly bad infestation are “scared stiff”.

“We've got to slam the doors shut so hard to make sure they don't get to us when they come out at night,” resident Terry Brampton told The Daily Mail.

Brampton, who now owes £1,500 in council tax, says that he will not pay the sum until the problem is sorted out.

He is now sleeping on a sofa bed as the sound of the scurrying is too loud in his room.

A Southampton City Council spokesman said: “We are investigating a reported pest infestation in one of our homes.

“This has been complicated due to legal factors that restrict our ability to access, assess and treat any signs of pest infestations, and repair any damage to the interior of the property.

“However, a pest control team has visited to check all external areas and lofts. We appreciate this is a frustrating and distressing situation but would like to assure our tenants we are doing everything possible to find a successful resolution."

Kerri Hargreaves, Abri regional assistant director of housing which runs one of the affected buildings, also said: “We are aware of a pest issue impacting this area of the city, and as a result, have a long-standing proactive contract in place with our pest control contractor to carry out six-weekly visits and baiting.

“Our estate services team also regularly remove excess waste in the bin store and clean the surrounding area to reduce sources that may be attracting pests. Over the winter, we understand that the pest issue has gotten worse.

“We will continue working with our customers, and Southampton City Council, to ensure the rubbish is correctly disposed of and the area remains clean to prevent pests from returning.”

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