Preston mum fears for two-year-old son after her house is infested with rats and mice

Sarah Stables lives with son Joesph on Tennyson Road in Ribbleton, Preston, and says she’s seen hundreds of mice and rats throughout her property in the last year.

The 23-year-old says she’s even found rat droppings in his bed and on the sofa and despite several visits from Preston Council’s pest control admits the problem is only getting worse.

“We have no idea where they’re coming from but they’re absolutely everywhere,” said unemployed Sarah.

“It makes me depressed, I can’t sleep and I can’t eat because I’m always worried where they’ll be.

“They’ve definitely been breeding because more and more keep coming. I’ve lost count of the amount of times pest control have come round and they do kill some of them but they always come back.”

Sarah rents the house but says she may be forced to move out if they can’t find a way to get rid of the vermin.

Pest control are next scheduled to visit on March 17 but she fears that might be too late.

“There’s been easily more than 100 rats and mice in my house and I’ve already had to take my son to the doctors because he’s been ill,” Sarah said.

“I don’t know if it’s caused by the rats but it definitely isn’t helping and I just want it sorting as soon as possible.”

A Preston Council spokesman said: “We appreciate no-one wants to find mice in their house. Our pest control technicians have visited the property on a number of occasions to try to eradicate the problem, but unfortunately haven’t been able to find the source of entry. Consequently, this hampers the steps our officers can take to resolve the situation.

“Our advice to anyone with a pest control issue would be to remove food spillages as they occur; don’t leave uncovered food out overnight; place food in rodent proof containers; empty waste bins regularly; and leave food meant for birds on a bird table rather than directly on the ground.”

PANEL

Michael Flynn, from Alpha Pest Control, based in Penwortham, says mice and rat infested homes is becoming a growing problem throughout Lancashire.

“There has been a marked increase in mice and rats throughout the county,” he said.

“We’re putting it down to milder winters and a lack of baiting in the sewers which mean the numbers of rats can build up and up before they come to the surface.

“The first thing to do is find out how the mice and rats are getting in and block it.

“It often comes from house repairs which weren’t finished properly because mice can get through a gap of 6mm and rats 12mm and can come up through toilets and drains.

“Block their entry and the problem will stop.”