Residents in part of North Belfast said they're disgusted after finding more than 30 rats in the alleyway behind their homes in the past month.
Those living in Woodvale Street say they have been contacting B elfast City Council for four weeks but nothing has been done to solve the problem.
Lytisha Lynas has been living on the street for two years and said there had not been a rodent problem until recently, with a surge in fly-tipping being blamed for the increase.
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As well as this, sewage water has been flowing down the alley and weeds have been overgrowing on the street.
"I've been contacting the council every day for a month, but nothing's been done," Lytisha told Belfast Live.
"Last Tuesday, they said somebody would be out to collect the rubbish from the alley, but it's still sitting there.
"The rats seem to be coming from a neighbour's garage. We've been putting poison down near the garage every morning, afternoon, and evening, so I understand why we've caught 32 of them. But there's still more.
"Me and two other neighbours are putting up the money for poison because nobody else is doing it. We're getting fed up with it, the rats are massive."
Lytisha said the issue is now affecting her mental health on a daily basis as she's constantly concerned about the rats coming into her house.
She added: "I can't settle at night time, I can't even sleep. If I do get asleep I'm only getting about two hours because I'm scared in case they come in.
"Every noise I hear in my attic, I'm jumping. I don't want them in my house. I've had them in my garden, but I have two rat boxes with poison in them. I checked them on Saturday, and the poison is nearly gone from one of them but not the other."
Neighbours in the area have had to take matters into their own hands over recent weeks to attempt to keep the issue at bay.
Lytisha said: "There's a guy who lives above the butchers and he had to come down with a litter picker and put the dead rats into his bin.
"It's just ridiculous. Nothing's being done and we're all at our wits end about what to do."
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: “We are aware of reports of rats in this area and are baiting sewers and gullies in the vicinity, following complaints from residents. Abatement notices have also been issued to two properties to cleanse and repair their private drainage systems.
“The alleyway is cleansed weekly. Our team will be visiting the area again today to remove dumped items and are working with the Department for Infrastructure to progress the removal of weeds.
“We would advise residents to make sure all rubbish is sorted and placed fully inside the correct bin, with the lid closed, for collection. This includes food waste. Council also provides a free bulky waste collection service for larger household items.
"Any further issues with pests can be reported to us by calling 028 9027 041 or emailing pestcontrol@belfastcity.gov.uk”
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