OUR FAMILY IS LIVING ABOVE A CITY OF RATS
Lorraine says she’s tormented by sound of scratching beasts
A FAMILY say a “city of rats” beneath their home is keeping them awake at night by scratching at the walls.
Mum-of-two Lorraine Paterson claims she hears rodents screaming as they die below the floor in Lochgelly, Fife.
The 30-year-old dental nurse told how they had climbed into the attic where they urinate on the family’s belongings.
Daughter Evie, five, is so traumatised she is having nightmares about being bitten by rats.
Family dog Milo has started ripping up carpets to try to get to the invaders.
Lorraine, who also has a son, Ellis, one, has taken a chilling video in which rats can be heard inside the wall cavities.
She said: “I was hearing noises, like squeals and a thud. The pest controller said that will be the sound they make before they die.
“They’re really big so could easily scratch through the walls. If it wasn’t for my dog Milo they would be in here, crawling all over the house. He’s traumatised by the whole thing.”
The housing association from which they rent called in pest controllers, who claim the rats pose no risk because they are beneath the property.
Lorraine said: “I’ve had them inside the property for about three months.
“There’s hundreds of tunnels, full of them. They’ve basically got a city under there.
“The pest controller said they’re well established so this will just keep going on.
“They’re leaving a horrendous smell in the house – it’s like death. They’ve been in the attic too and peeing all over the stuff up there. My daughter keeps waking up saying she’s having nightmares that rats are biting her.”
Ore Valley Housing Association’s Colin McInnes said: “The contractor feels there is no health risk as the rats are beneath the property rather than inside.
“The contractor also feels that rats are prevalent in the area. We want to find out if there is a wider issue, so we’ve been in touch with the council.”
Dawn Jamieson, Fife Council environmental team manager, said: “We have been asked by Ore Valley Housing to carry out a survey in the area.
“This will be done as soon as possible and we’ll report back to Ore Valley.”