Residents on a Milton Keynes estate say it is being plagued by rats.
People living on Fishermead say the problem is so bad that they are scared to use their bin cupboards because of the vermin issue.
One resident told us: “I have lived on this estate for nearly 30 years, and never had any problems. But the past year has been terrible. Our bin cupboards are overrun with them because people don't dispose of their rubbish correctly. I counted 13 rats from my window earlier this week.
“They make my skin crawl. They carry so many diseases and it is really concerning.
“When I phoned the council to report it, they said there was nothing they could do - that it was my responsibility."
Another resident told Total MK: “You see them all day running across roads, and scurrying from garden to garden, and some of them are really big. They have no fear of us at all.
“The problem is that certain residents don't dispose of rubbish correctly, or look after their properties, so rubbish piles up, which looks unsightly. Now the rats have moved in – it's an easy food source.
“I've complained to the council numerous times and asked them to discipline tenants who don't maintain their properties. The council have done nothing, and now they have an even bigger problem to sort.”
Never miss news or leisure info in Milton Keynes - Follow us on twitter here
And on Facebook here
Three cars in Polruan Place have been damaged by rats eating through wires and damaging interiors in the last month alone.
Fed up residents have now taken to cutting back bushes themselves, smoking the rats out from their nests, and setting traps for the animals.
“But it's not enough,” one said. “Milton Keynes Council need to sharpen up, clean up the estate, sort out those who keep dumping rubbish, and deal with the rat problem for once and for all. The problem is out of control.
“It is terrible, and we need them to take action now.”
A spokesman for Milton Keynes Council said: “Private residents can take advantage of the discounted pest control rates that MK Council has negotiated with a preferred pest control operator.
“Council tenants are responsible for treatment within their own homes but can contact the housing team for advice about pest control in a council property. Details can be found on our website.”
They added: “Vermin and other animals are attracted by food waste which is why we urge all residents to put their food waste into the green wheelie bin rather than into black or clear recycling sacks which can be ripped open by animals.”
For more information on waste visit: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/waste-recycling
