A MAN whose flat has been plagued with rats has revealed he can hear them while he's watching TV as the pests continue to run riot.
Gareth Cotterell, 51, claims he's spent years battling rats in his Cardiff flat as they repeatedly bite through walls and his possessions.
Pest control officers have warned him that he will need a new kitchen due to the damage done by the rodents.
Despite Gareth doing his best to keep his flat clean, the pests always find a way inside, leaving urine and faeces all over his worktops.
He said that he rarely goes into the kitchen and is forced to keep the door closed at all times, fearing they will infiltrate the rest of the flat.
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Gareth, who struggles with spinal injuries, can even hear them rustling in the walls while he is watching television.
The Cardiff resident claims he's always dealt with rat problems; however, it has gotten significantly worse in recent months
It’s so degrading
Gareth Cotterell
Gareth, who has lived in his Tremorfa council flat for the past six years, said he's had "pest control in every single week," but that hasn't stopped the rodents from eating their way through everything.
He even made his own makeshift boards, which the rats easily chewed through.
Cardiff Council hasn't done enough to help, according to Gareth.
He feels as if he's been "left to it" while his kitchen has become completely unusable.
He told Wales Online: "The council pass you from one department to another."
Gareth only enters his kitchen to make cups of tea and eats meals elsewhere at his friends and family's homes.
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He believes his flat struggles more with rats than others because his property is closest to the drains.
The constant worry of pests destroying Gareth's flat has been a "nightmare", he said.
The 51-year-old had to get one of his friends to help him clean the cupboards because it stank of rat urine.
He added: "It's so degrading."
Although Gareth was told he would need a new kitchen he feels unsupported in his property.
The council did visit his flat after a rat chewed a hole through his kitchen wall.
Yet, Gareth claimed they filled it with silicone which the pests later ate, as well.
A council spokesperson said: "An inspection of the kitchen by the Council’s repairs team took place yesterday (Thursday) and work to replace two base units will take place next week.
"Any holes in the walls that were allowing pests to access will also be repaired.
"Pest Control teams have carried out treatment for rats at the property which is ongoing.
"A further visit is scheduled for today (Friday 17th May)."
