A mum says her children are living in fear of 'cat-sized' rats in their street. Residents claim they have been plagued by the rodent infestation for months - and even poison has failed to get rid of them.
Yasmin Rakha, 40, said she is still finding dead rodents inside her house in Fleeston Street in Rusholme, south Manchester. She claimed that despite contacting her local council, the issue has yet to be fixed and her children, aged three and five, are now terrified of the rats.
She told the MEN: "Cat-sized rats run along the street, alleyway, fences, and die inside our house - my daughters are frightened. Because of this I refuse to let my children play outside, and we won’t leave doors open ever."
Residents have resorted to using poison in a bid to get rid of the rats but fellow resident Nyla Ali believes they are resistant to the toxins. She described the ongoing issue as a "nightmare".
The 28-year-old said: “I’ve adopted a cat because the rats are immune to the poison. They have gotten huge in the last six months.
"You can hear them throughout the night because the communal bins are opposite. One entered my house while I unloaded my shopping. It’s a nightmare."
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: "We are aware of ongoing pest issues in and around Rusholme, and we thank residents who have reported problems. Rats are unhygienic and unpleasant for local people and we therefore take pest control very seriously.
“Our teams have been implementing measures and treatments around the area for the last few months and Rusholme is receiving additional targeted treatment from our teams to help the issue. Council officers are working with residents and businesses to continue treating the affected areas and local residents have been offered subsidised rat treatment plans by the council.
“We'd like to remind residents and local businesses to remain vigilant about their waste and waste removal, as incorrect waste management is one of the factors that can lead to pest problems."
