Vermin issues are said to be "out of control" in one area of Merseyside with kids unable to play in their own gardens.
Residents in parts of Huyton have said "large rats" have been an ongoing problem for the last three years with action "urgently needed". As rats "roam free" on the streets, the situation has been described as "absolutely disgusting."
One resident, who wished to not be named, is a carer in the community and she told the ECHO: "I've got a six-year-old who loves the garden, we've been growing vegetables since lockdown but I've had to get rid of some things. When the kids come home from school I have to search and clean the garden constantly.
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"It's absolutely disgusting. Some residents I visit are housebound and they've had to pay out of their pension to get bins cleaned or pest control out or even been put on waiting lists. Some have had rats inside their homes and it's upsetting.
"Some residents are on end of life care and have no family and they see these rats around. One time, a client had a rat come in their home and we don't know how. You tell the council and they just say they are aware of the issue. Some bins have huge holes in and it's not nice. It needs to be kept on top of. With all the land being dug up it's bringing the rats out, it's become normal."
The mum, who lives near Jubilee Park, said her dog is constantly chasing rats in their garden, having recently caught one that was "bigger than his head". She added: "The rat the dog caught, wouldn't have fit in the trap we bought.
"People are used to it, it doesn't matter the time of day. There needs to be funding to keep on top of it and the vulnerable need to be treated first. We've bought traps and cement to fill holes in, it's constant.
"It's not fair on the children or elderly. I used to live near an embankment and I've never seen as many rats as now. Every day we have to check the gardens. The rat situation is out of control and people ae suffering. People have even stopped walking their dogs in the park."
The ECHO previously reported on the launch of 'Environmental Improvement Action Days' which will see Knowsley Council teams and partners come together to target environmental issues in wards across Knowsley. These will be held each month up to March next year.
A spokesperson for Knowsley Council said just two requests have been made in that area near the park in the whole of 2022 as they urge people to report all issues. They added: "The council continues to work with partners, residents, businesses, and landlords to tackle any rat infestations in the Borough. This includes sewer baiting, pest control, identifying issues that may be contributing to the problems, offering advice about prevention and carrying out action days in areas identified as potential hot spots.
"The area in question here (Dinas Lane/Jubilee Park) is not one of those identified as having a particular issue and currently we have only had two requests for support in this area during the whole of 2022. We would encourage all residents to report any issues they have with rats and particularly if you have a concern for an older person or someone you are caring for.
"You can contact our Pest Control team at www.knowsley.gov.uk to request advice. If people have a particular concern in a specific area or believe there is a wider problem where they live, they can contact they can contact our Environmental Health Team on (0151)-443 4712 or by email at environmentalhealth@knowsley.gov.uk.
"Although there is a fee for the Pest Control Service to visit a property and provide a treatment, the Council rate is well below the rate charged by commercial companies."
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