People in Glasgow East End flats seeing rat droppings in car bonnets

Michael Carey says he is scared to step out the front door because rats are scurrying around outside.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 23rd Sep 2024

People in Sighthill area of Glasgow are telling us they're fed up of seeing rats scurrying around outside their homes despite having reported the problem months ago.

Michael Carey visits his mum who lives on Fountainwell Drive and claims he has had rats inside the bonnet of his car.

Residents are regularly seeing dead rats like the one shown above on their doorstep.

He told Greatest Hits Radio: "I am scared to open the bonnet because I don't know what will be inside and I hate taking the rubbish down to the communal bin area.

"There are holes at the bottom of the building which are causing the rats to run up on the inside of the walls."

The flats are a mix of private and council owned accommodation and sit opposite St Martin's Primary School.

Michael believes rats are nesting inside a disused garden container across the road which the council agreed to remove several months ago.

The council has previously agreed to remove the container across the road from the flats which is where the rats are thought to be nesting.

Julie Cunningham has young children and says she has reported the issue to environmental health on multiple occasions.

She said "Rat poison has been put down on the ground but it hasn't made any kind of difference.

"My kids hate seeing them lying dead on the street and my youngest doesn't understand how disgusting it is so I need to make an extra effort to keep him away from them."

Glasgow City Council says it has pest control teams focusing specifically on Fountainwell Drive.

A spokesman said: “Our pest control team continues to undertake appropriate measures at this location.

“Proofing works that prevent the pests from gaining access to a building is a matter for the property owners to address.

“Rats are in search of a source of food. It is vital therefore that food waste is always properly contained in a bin, bin areas are kept in good order and food intended for birds and other wildlife is not left lying out for rats to feed on.”

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