A woman from Dalkeith says she has been left traumatised by a rat infestation outside her home.
Susan Hoy, who lives on Jarnac Court, says the situation has become unbearable after one of the rodents made its way into her flat.
Residents in the area claim the issue has been ongoing for some time, with repeated sightings of vermin around the property.
“I heard a scratching and I thought I’d be left one of my cats out in the balcony, and I opened the door and there was an infestation of rats”, Susan told STV News.
“Obviously, I panicked. One ran in, I tried to kick it, and I ran, and I’ve actually fallen, so I had to phone the landlord, who came out with pest control, and they had to look around and things.
“One got into my bedroom, so I am now sleeping down here, and I hate to say it, but peeing in a bucket in my kitchen.
“I’m going to my friend’s along the corridor for a shower, and I’m just absolutely petrified. I shut the curtains because I sit here, and if I see one going past, I just absolutely freak.”
Susan said that the rats have been a growing issue below her property in Dalkeith for some time now.
STV NewsRaymond, who works in pest control, was called out by Susan and has since been hired by the business below her home to deal with a rat infestation under a storage container.
He has called on Midlothian Council’s environmental health team to launch their own inspection.
“(After) doing a thorough inspection, I found that, you know, the rats were coming from outside and climbing up the pigeon net and into the balcony, then into the house”, he said.
“I think that there’s maybe something to do with the drains.
“As the drains are where the rats seem to be coming out, we’ve got a container over there which I suspect has got a drain underneath it. So if the council can get their environmental health team to do an inspection and hopefully find some defects within the drains, which will help solve the problem.”
However, Susan says that even if the issue is resolved, she no longer feels she can live in the place she’s called home for the last ten years.
“I don’t want to stay here anymore”, she added.
“I will not go out there, I’ll not go upstairs. I’m scared to put my buckets out. I’m just scared to do anything. I’m just a nervous wreck.”
STV NewsA spokesperson for the council said they are “continuing to take action” amid concerns raised about the rats.
“We’re aware of concerns raised by residents and businesses about rats in the vicinity of Jarnac Court and want to reassure the community we’re continuing to take action to address the issue”, a spokesperson said.
“Environmental Health has been working with our landscaping and waste services teams to remove overgrown vegetation and shrubs, improve waste management, including providing more bins and increasing rubbish collection, assess and address any issues with vacant commercial properties, support businesses to strengthen their pest control arrangements where necessary and provide pest control services to affected council tenants who require assistance.
“This work has reduced evidence of rats and remains ongoing. However, after recent reports of an increase in numbers and new concerns, further steps are being taken, including inspecting drains.
“To support these ongoing measures, we are also minimising any food sources and hiding places for rats to help control the population.
“We encourage anyone who sees signs of rats to report it directly to our Environmental Health team by calling 0131 561 5284 so we can respond quickly and effectively. We also have information on the council’s website about what householders can do to treat and control rat infestations.
“Our priority is to protect public health and maintain a safe environment for residents and businesses.”
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