“Screaming” rats scurrying behind walls have kept residents up at night as parts of Aberdeenshire have been left with uncollected bins.
Refuse collectors struggled to deal with the volume of post-holiday rubbish during this week’s bin collections.
Aberdeenshire Council admitted having failed to empty bins in parts of Oldmeldrum, Kemnay and Insch.
That has led to claims some residents have been left battling a rat problem as bins overflowing after the Christmas holidays attracted dozens of rodents.
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Pest control experts were called out to properties in Oldmeldrum as residents heard the creatures scurrying and “screaming” behind walls.
Locals took to social media to share their frustration over the lack of bin collection, and their horror over the furry visitors they are suddenly sharing space with.
One resident said she was struggling to sleep due to the noise of rats between the walls, while another said she’d had to empty her loft after rodents took to chewing through the items stored there.
Social media reaction
Some set traps for the creatures, while others called local pest controller Jim Dow.
Mr Dow told the Press and Journal: “I would advise people to make sure their property is secure, the surrounds are tidy, check vents aren’t broken and that there are no gaps.
“If you have to feed birds, take care about where any food is left, and make sure bin lids are closed.”
The council said yesterday: “Households who have not had their bin uplifted so far this week will have their bins collected on Friday, January 11.
“Please present your bin at the kerbside before 7am. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Local councillor Paul Johnston said: “People affected by this should take their bin in, if they can, and then put it back out when the waste collection is due.
“For anyone who has any difficulties with this and can’t get to the tip in Inverurie, the council have a number of measures they can use to help.
“For those people who have a problem with rats, I’d advise them to contact the council.
“It is the individual householder’s responsibility to look after their property and try to keep it clear of rodents, but the council can assist with tracing the source of the problem.”
He added: “Bins falling over in the wind we’ve had the last couple of days has also been a bit of a problem.”