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‘We shouldn’t have to live like this’: Aberdeen dad claims beetles and worms coming up sinks into flat

Things have got so bad that the creatures are even coming up the flat's bath and sinks.

Amy Louise Wardaugh, aged two, playing next to a damp wall in the flat.
Amy Louise Wardhaugh, aged two, is seen here playing next to a damp wall in the flat. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

An Aberdeen dad whose home has been “infested” with beetles and worms has claimed the council is failing to tackle the problem.

Andrew Wardhaugh lives in a council-owned flat at Elphinstone Court in Tillydrone with his wife Sarahjane, 28, and his one and two-year-old daughters, Amber Rose and Amy Louise.

The 30-year-old says beetles and worms first began appearing in the property last October but the problem has escalated.

Aberdeen City Council’s pest control team has been round twice to treat the flat, but Mr Wardhaugh says the bugs keep coming back.

Andrew and Sarahjane Wardhaugh with their children Amber Rose and Amy Louise in their infested Tillydrone flat.
Andrew and Sarahjane Wardhaugh with their children Amber Rose, one, and Amy Louise, two. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

He also claims there is mould on the walls and problems with sparking sockets.

However, his main concern is the infestation.

Mr Wardhaugh said: “It’s getting a lot worse now, they’re even coming up through our sinks and our bath.”

Andrew and Sarahjane Wardaugh in their Tillydrone flat holding a container with beetles in it.
Mrs and Mrs Wardhaugh now keep the creatures in a box to show the council. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

‘We shouldn’t have to live like this’

The couple have been told by the council that there is nothing more that they can do, reassuring them that “it’s nothing to worry about”.

But Mr Wardhaugh is unsatisfied and wants the authority to resolve the issue.

“The place is always immaculate, they always tell us to ‘keep on top of it’, move furniture around, move things out the way and we’re doing that constantly, and more and more just keep coming, it’s not making any difference,” he said.

He claimed “loads” of dead beetles and worms can be found under the washing machine and cupboards, with skin from the worms being left behind.

Mr Wardhaugh added: “We shouldn’t have to live like this with our two young children. It’s not nice, it’s nasty.”

Exterior of the flat located at Elphinstone Court in Tillydrone.
The flat is located at Elphinstone Court in Tillydrone. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

Council ‘working’ with tenant

A spokeswoman for Aberdeen City Council said: “We have been working with our tenant to deal with the issues being raised. An electrician has attended the property to check over the electrics and rectify any issues found.

“The safety and wellbeing of our tenants is really important to Aberdeen City Council and we continue to work with our tenants to deal with any problems. We will arrange for one of our property inspectors to visit the property.”

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