Elderly Andover woman complains about rat-infested neighbourhood

Avril Tiggerdine who lives in Artists Way said it has reached a stage where she has been bitten by a rat after it entered her bedroom.

The 63-year-old, who is recovering from a spinal fusion and decompression procedure, said her efforts to get it resolved have not been answered by her housing association.

Ms Tiggerdine, who lives alone, said she called Aster Homes several times since the problem started in mid-August, but rats continue to cause havoc in her back garden.

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She said it is clear that the rats are coming from another property in her neighbourhood.

“I was told in August that someone will be out to deal with the problem shortly. At this time, I was waiting to be admitted to Basingstoke hospital in September to have a spinal fusion and decompression. But nothing happened until I was taken into hospital,” she said.

“Around two weeks after I was discharged from the hospital I witnessed two rats running across my back garden. Looking around, I discovered around six tunnels. I have two sheds in my back garden, and I discovered that many of my belongings inside the shed had been ruined.”

Avril Tiggerdine (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Tiggerdine said she has since been trying to get help from Aster and also buying rat poison herself.

“The contents in my shed are beyond repair and every single item is stinking of rat pee and poo.”

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But her worse nightmare occurred last Wednesday when she woke from sleep hearing a “scratchy noise”.

“When I switched on bedroom light, I saw a rat darting from beneath my bed to my sitting room, and disappearing behind my sofa.

“I grabbed my walking stick and took a look under my sofa. As I touched my hand on the floor, the rat came out and bit my finger.

“I was totally shocked. There was a small hole on my finger with its teeth mark. I had to take an injection.”

Ms Tiggerdine is pleading for help from her housing association as she believes the problem is getting worse by each day.

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An Aster spokesperson said: “We’re aware that one of our customers is affected by this issue and understand how distressing this is for them.

“We arranged for a pest control company to carry out treatment to the area in September and we also removed rubbish and garden waste which could encourage vermin from the neighbouring home’s garden, while it was temporarily empty.

“We’re arranging for a surveyor to visit the home to investigate the issue further and will continue to work with the affected customer to find a solution.”