Glasgow man demands action over rats nesting under home

David Watson lives on Blackie Street in Kelvingrove, in the West End and he first noticed the animals about a year ago.

David Watson next to the hole under the building (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

He said: "They started to dig out the dirt underneath the building, the foundation.

"They penetrated in through the stank, where the drains go down into the ground from the roof.

"So, they started to actually remove the foundation from under the building to nest and to burrow and set up home.

"They moved a hell of a lot of soil as they are digging themselves deeper and deeper.

"This will eventually, if they continue to live there, affect the building.

"It's not just one or two, but quite a lot of rats."

Soil next to the rat tunnels (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Rat droppings (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

The concerning situation, he said, is getting worse as he fears for his health and the safety of the building.

He said: "I see them running all the time at night.

"Every day I go out, I can see there is more and more soil.

"It's not very good, I don't feel safe.

"Rats are vermin, they carry disease and it's quite uncomfortable to know that they are digging under the building.

"If you remove the soil, it will affect the structure and foundation.

"It's a concerning problem."

The 50-year-old is demanding more action from Glasgow City Council and Yorkhill Housing as many of his neighbours also share his concerns.

He has alerted both authorities previously and in response, some traps have been put in place but he claimed they were ineffective. 

David Watson next to the hole (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Close-up of the tunnel (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

A Yorkhill Housing spokesperson said: "Yorkhill Housing Association are aware of this which appears to be a city-wide issue and has been working closely with both the city council and external contractors to resolve this. 

"This has included setting traps and replacing the road plate where damage from rat runs was discovered. 

"We have been instructing businesses and residents in the area to dispose of refuse in the correct manner. We will continue to work together with our partners on this.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “Our pest control officers have attended at this address and undertaken a treatment to deal with the presence of rodents.

“We are sorry to learn that a rodent persists at this address, but certain conditions will undermine the effectiveness of a pest control treatment.

“Keeping backcourts in good condition will help to deter rodents from coming onto a property and food waste should also always be properly contained or else rodents may not take any poison that’s been laid down.

“Repairs to a building or any other remedial work that block rodents from reaching nesting spots is also the responsibility of the property owner or their factor.

“Householders always have the option of approaching a private contractor if they wish.”