Can a rat chew through a wheelie bin?

An inner-Sydney resident believes a rat has chewed its way into her recycling bin amid a “plague” of the rodents possibly sparked by COVID-19 restrictions.

Emma Leslie came out to her yellow-top wheelie bin on Tuesday morning to find a round hole through the lid and small fragments of plastic around the hole.

The Erskineville local has little doubt what caused the hole, taking to a local Facebook community page to claim it was made by “the killer teeth of a rat”.

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A number of comments on the post from locals also described their rat problems, while Leslie says her immediate neighbourhood of terrace houses is in the midst of a “post-apocalyptic, post-COVID ... plague” of rats.

“We’ve all had problems over the last few months with rats,” Leslie told 7NEWS.com.au

“We believe it’s with Sydney (CBD) being a lot less full of people working and going to cafes and restaurants, and making food waste, the rats are spreading out to inner-city suburbs.

“I just don’t understand why he went for the yellow recycling bin when there’s nothing but empty wine bottles and plastic plant pots.

“I don’t know what he was going for.

“The bin’s out on the street. I’m not touching it until it’s emptied.”

Leslie is pleading with the City of Sydney council to address the rat problem humanely.

She said at least two rats have entered her home recently.

One became stuck in her kitchen rangehood and another came through a hole behind a cupboard.

In her backyard, a “giant hole which looks like it’s been a rat burrow” has been filled in by the council before being burrowed through again.

She is “horrified” by the thought of a rat making its way into her toddler’s room.

“I would love the council to do something about it, but I don’t know what,” Leslie said.

Council responds

In response to the concerns, the City of Sydney highlighted about 950 bait stations spread across the local government area, among a number of other measures.

“These measures are used in strategic locations and in response to community complaints,” a spokesperson said.

“The city’s rat control program has led to a decrease in the numbers of rat sighting and complaints across the city area.

“Any residents that notice rat activity should contact the city and we will review baiting in that area.

“The city advises property owners to keep waste bins and storage areas clean and enclose bins with tight fitting lids, remove overgrown vegetation and accumulated rubbish which might attract rats, and ensure regular rat control is carried out.”

Rats are chewing through doors and wheelie bins in the latest area of Liverpool to become plagued with vermin.

Filthy alleyways are attracting a scourge of rats to Old Swan - but litter isn’t all they are feasting on.

Shocking images show the hungry rodents have gnawed through people’s walls, doors and plastic bins - and it appears nothing is stopping them.

The images show why Old Swan is one of the areas to be targeted by a £6m council 'rat blitz .'

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Residents say despite putting down traps and poison, the rats are only getting bigger and stronger.

Soph Davies, 20, who lives on Southgate Road, said: "You can see everyone's back doors have actually been chewed. I have literally got no bottom on mine, they (the rats) have chewed through the wall.

"I noticed my bins were chewed a few days ago.  I didn't even know that rats could chew through a bin.

"I have put poison down loads of times, I have had the rat man out four or five times in the last couple of months."

The mum-of-one  added: "I  think it's because of the residents to be honest. I was walking on the street yesterday and there was literally a full pizza thrown on the floor.  The alleyways are full of rubbish and food.

"My mum has lived in the next street for 23 years and she has never had a problem (until now). it's a nightmare. "

Residents have repeatedly taken to social media to complain of rat and litter problems in Old Swan.

Pictures show dirty nappies, household waste and furniture are frequently dumped in the neighbourhood's  alleyways - despite harsh council warnings about adhering to litter rules .

Old Swan resident Ian Young, who lives on Macfarren Street, said the area has faced rat and litter problems since he moved there in 2002.

Describing a history of problems, the dad-of-three said rats have chewed through wiring, gotten into his food cupboards, "made a home" in his tumble dryer and been heard rummaging in the cavities of his walls over the years.

However, things have taken a turn for the worse recently, after he made the shock discovery that rats had begun chewing through his plastic bins.

Ian said: "The last couple of weeks all I hear now when my bedroom window is open is squeaking.

"I’ve never known rats to chew through plastic bins all the years I’ve lived here, it’s a first for me.

"The bin men I think are very good, they clear the entry’s once a week on top of the weekly refuse collection.

"I’ve seen a lot of anti social behaviour from other neighbours.

"There was a couple (no longer there now) used to throw all their rubbish over the back wall and would often hit my back door and burst open. I’d have to clean it all just so I could get my bin out for collection."

Old Swan is one of the many areas of Liverpool set to be targeted in a radical £6m council "rat blitz".

The funding will be used  to repair the city's decrepit narrow alleyways and provide alternative refuse collection services , in neighbourhoods where litter dumping has become rife.

The phased three year programme began in Walton last November , where residents have reported noticing marked improvements already.

The city council are yet to confirm when the changes will be rolled out in Old Swan.

Local ward councillor Gary Millar , has recently taken to Facebook to ask his constituents for "widespread help" in tackling dog fouling, litter and fly-tipping "following a number of complaints from local residents."

He said:"We are not pointing blame at anyone in particular. However, we have been asked to help create more civic pride. We are more than happy to help and work with you and the wider community.

"You can formally report most problems using this link https://liverpool.gov.uk/parking-travel-an…/report-an-issue/".

Mayor Anderson has previously called on residents to have more civic pride , stating  Liverpool has become one of the worst places in the country for residents not caring about the state of their environment.

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