Great Lever rat infestations angers residents living there

An area in Great Lever is seeing over 30 rats running in back streets and gardens as neighbours complain of the cost to bring out pest control.

Andrew Morgan, a resident in the area, was shocked to see the rats running amok in his neighbour’s garden and has since had to fork out £1200 to buy a new shed when the rodents chewed through the previous one.

He said: “We have had to pay for pest control and so have the neighbours, but the rats are just breeding.

“We saw 30 rats recently in one area and had to buy a brand-new shed because the rats have chewed into the one we had.

“We had to get pest control out again last week and you only get two visits for the near-£50 you pay.

"A neighbour keeps fowl outside and since the food is thrown out, and this food is a good source for rats."

Pest control fees were introduced in 2021 after reports that Bolton was spending too much money going to homes where people could self-manage the issues.

But Mr Morgan said the rat infestation was so big that even the pest control workers did not think it would work.

He said: “The man that came out said there was no chance it would work in two visits, and it would only kill a few.

“I wonder how many other people are going through the same thing but cannot pay for it.

“It’s not feasible and the decision to make it a charged service is detrimental to Bolton.”

Along with financial concerns, Mr Morgan is worried about the elderly and children who live in the areas hit the most by the rat infestation.

He said: “Financially it’s costing us a lot of money and it’s constantly having to bleach the back garden, and we worry about our cat too.

“There are neighbours with really young children and elderly living here too, so it’s worrying for them.

“I am angry and upset, and it’s frustrating that we are not getting the help especially in a cost-of-living crisis where people are struggling as it is.”