Rats fear on Felmores Estate for pregnant mum

The 30 year old pregnant mother of three, who wished to remain anonymous, has expressed her concerns after hearing rats in the walls and continuously seeing rats running around her home on the Felmores Estate, in Basildon.

She claims to have had this problem ever since a new pipe sprinkler system was installed on the estate, and explained: "It's just absolutely ridiculous, I've lived here three years and never seen anything like it.

"We've seen it all, rats and mice both big and small, and we hear them as well.

"My partner had to rip the whole kitchen apart and banged into the wall to find out where they were, so we're paying out ridiculous amounts, it's a joke. While he was doing that, a rat ran over his foot.

"There's been nothing but trouble since they started the work. We're living with mice and rat traps in the kitchen and downstairs, which have killed a few.

"This is a health issue now- imagine if I or my kids had drunk from a glass which a rat had touched, we'd be ill. They're vermin and I'm concerned for all of our safety.

"It's getting quite dangerous. My child had a sleepover the other night and her friend went into the kitchen for a drink to find rats on the floor."

With the hopes of fixing the problem, the resident approached Basildon Council and Swan Housing.

She continued: "Apparently it's down to the tenant to pay pest control. Swan Housing just suggested poison and traps, and Basildon Council said I have to pay £95 for three visits. Why should I be paying for this? I didn't create the disturbance and I definitely didn't entertain these rats into my home.

"Nobody is helping us."

Other residents from the estate have also previously complained of seeing the rodents scurrying around their properties and being able to hear them within the walls, with many also claiming the problems started ever since sprinkler systems were installed in the Felmores Estate.

In previous reports, Essex pest expert Ian Bright, from Pest ID, told the Echo the new pipe systems put into the Felmores Estate could have created a rodent runway allowing them to run from one home to another.

A Basildon Council spokesman, said: “Letters were recently hand delivered to every property on the Felmores estate confirming that for the duration of the phased work to install a fire suppression system Basildon Council will provide a pest control service free of charge to residents and tenants.

“Anyone on the estate requiring this service can call the council’s repairs team on 01268 533333 option 3, then option 1, and option 1 again.”

The letter states: "Basildon Council have recently become aware of a number of issues relating to vermin on the Felmores Estate which residents have associated with the installation of the fire suppression system.

"The Council have been investigating the issue and have been unable to establish a link between the ongoing works and an increase in vermin.

"However, in order to provide re-assurance I can confirm that for the duration of the phased work Basildon Council will provide a pest control service if you have issues with either rats or mice in your home which you suspect is connected to the installation of the fire suppression sprinkler systems work we are undertaking within the immediate vicinity of your home.

"Please be advised that there will be no charge for this service."

The council have said residents from Felmores Estate will be treated with high priority."