An Ebbw Vale man man has claimed that a five-year rat infestation has left the rodents eating his food and keeping him up at night "scratching" through the walls. Sean Twohig, 63, who has lived at Nant Melyn, Rassau, for over 40 years, says he has been dealing with rats in his property since 2017 but despite reporting it to his housing association has had no success in getting it resolved.
Mr Twohig claims the first time he reported that he had rats in his attic, Tai Calon sent someone over to fill the gaps with mastic, which trapped the rats in the cavities but didn’t get rid of the infestation. He claims when he saw them again, he found five rat nests in his attic and asked Tai Calon for help in getting rid of the insulation, in which the rats were nesting.
He claims that Tai Calon refused and that he had to resolve it himself. Over the years he says he has set up traps himself, covered rat holes with cement and has been helped by Rentokil, the company referred by the housing association. He added that he isn't alone as his neighbours have also suffered from rats in their attics.
READ MORE: Man finds 18-inch rat the size of a baby in his back garden
He said: “Tai Calon refers me to Rentokil each time. They put rat poison in my and my neighbours' attics, which only helps for a couple of months.” Mr Twohig claims he is left with the "stench of [rats] decaying" due to construction on the roof blocking pest control officers from accessing the space and being able to find them. Mr Twohig said that the rats have made their way into his kitchen cupboards and are eating his food and leaving droppings.
He also claims this is detrimental to his mental health as he is kept up at night hearing them "scratch through his walls" and also to his physical health as he is currently undergoing medical tests, which he believes could be related to the rat infestation. He said: “I can hear them scurrying up the cavities. They wake me up at 2am, 3am and 4am running about up there. It’s very stressful and I was at the hospital recently being tested to see if the rats are affecting my lungs. I’m waiting to have more tests and a CT scan.”
Mr Twohig said that Environmental Health have been out twice to his property during this time to do some repair work to his property, and inspected the sewers with cameras to see how the rats are entering his home. In April 2022, Tai Calon sent out a letter to inform residents that the rat entry point had been filled in line with the Welsh Housing Quality Standards refurbishment work they had carried out.
However, Mr Twohig claims that Rentokil was back at his home on November 1 due to rats being spotted on his CCTV footage - showing at least two large rats and a rat that appears to be 18 inches and pregnant. He said that he's "frustrated" with the situation which isn't getting resolved by his property management.
A spokesperson from Tai Calon said: “At Tai Calon Community Housing, we support our customers when they believe rats may be entering their homes. Initially, we advised them to contact Rentokil Pest Control, as they provide a domestic pest control service in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The service is free, offering treatments for rat infestations in people's homes throughout Blaenau Gwent. Rentokil attends the home and, depending on what they find, takes the most appropriate action. If Tai Calon manages the home, then Rentokil will let us know what else we can do to help resolve and prevent future infestations.
“We are fully aware of Mr Twohig's concerns and sympathise with his situation. Hopefully, through working with Rentokil, we can quickly resolve the problem.” Blaenau Gwent Council confirmed that they provide a domestic pest control service in partnership with Rentokil Pest Control. The spokesperson said: "The service offers free treatments for rat infestations at domestic properties within Blaenau Gwent.
"Rentokil Pest Control also offer other pest control treatments at domestic properties for which there is a charge. Full details are available on the Council’s website."
Paul Blackhurst, head of Technical Academy at Rentokil Pest Control said: “During the summer months, rats can learn that gardens, yards and even driveways provide a reliable source of food - from bins, bird feeding tables, garden fruit and veg produce, and even leftover food from outdoor dining. However, as temperatures begin to drop and easy food sources become less readily available, then rats will begin to seek warmth, shelter and food indoors. It is therefore advisable to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to help prevent unwanted visitors in your property.
“As a first step, it is important for people to be aware of the telltale signs that rats are present in a property. Due to their poor eyesight, rats tend to use established routes along skirting boards and walls, so you may initially notice grease marks where rodents brush up against your walls and surfaces. In dusty, less-used areas of your home such as the loft, you may be able to spot foot and tail marks. Shining a strong flashlight at a low angle should reveal tracks or droppings clearly. You may also find concentrations of droppings, which are dark brown, spindle shaped and resemble a large grain of rice.
“As soon as you notice signs of rats it is important to restrict access to their lifelines - food, water and shelter. This means ensuring that rubbish is stored in a strong bin with a lid that is large enough to prevent waste from overflowing, but also that any bird feed, pet food, cereals or other dry foods are kept sealed in metal, ceramic or glass containers, as rats can easily chew through the plastic sacks, cardboard boxes and plastic tubs, that these food items are often packaged in.”
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