Rats have left a stressed couple living their "worst nightmare" as the rodents gnaw through food and run amok in their city home.

After trapping 60 rats during the past year without any respite the infestation issue has reached boiling point.

Sharina Reaney lives in Elizabeth Fry Road in Earlham with her husband and has been pleading with Broadland Housing Association for help.

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Norwich Evening News: Mrs Reaney said that the rats have chewed through her cupboards in order to get to the food there Mrs Reaney said that the rats have chewed through her cupboards in order to get to the food there (Image: Sharina Reaney)

The 44-year-old said: "I'm petrified of rats and this is my worst nightmare.

"I've had this problem for a year now and have caught 60 rats myself by putting traps in the cupboard - it's horrendous.

"The faeces gets everywhere and it's horrible having to constantly clean it up.

"I've seen them running along the floor and they've literally chewed up our cupboards to get to the food there.

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Norwich Evening News: Broadland Housing Association have apologised to Mrs Reaney for the issues she's had with ratsBroadland Housing Association have apologised to Mrs Reaney for the issues she's had with rats (Image: Sharina Reaney)

"We've had pest control here about 16 times over the last year and he's said that there are gaps under the kitchen floor which let the rats in.

"It's becoming a serious health hazard. It's so dangerous living here."

Sharina, who works at City College Norwich, says the housing association have told her they do not have enough funding to replace their kitchen floor.

Norwich Evening News: Mrs Reaney believes she caught up to 60 rats in her house during the last yearMrs Reaney believes she caught up to 60 rats in her house during the last year (Image: Newsquest)

A spokeswoman for Broadland Housing Association said: "One of our operatives attended the property and carried out works to brick up some holes around the lintel last week.

"The manager dealing with these works will be in touch with Mrs Reaney next week to book an appointment to go and inspect the works and her kitchen cupboards.

"We do apologise to Mrs Reaney about this issue but hope the works that have been carried out will resolve the issue."

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Norwich Evening News: Elizabeth Fry Road, located in Earlham, NR2Elizabeth Fry Road, located in Earlham, NR2 (Image: Google Maps)

Sharina estimates they have spent thousands on the problems, adding: "It is the housing association's property and should be its responsibility.

"It's embarrassing that I can't even invite people over because of the rat trouble.

"I've been off work for the last month because of how much it's affected me - the whole situation is just horrible."

Norwich Evening News: Mrs Reaney said that she's seen rats running across her floor and the whole situation has been a nightmareMrs Reaney said that she's seen rats running across her floor and the whole situation has been a nightmare (Image: Newsquest)

Poison-resistant 'super rats' defying city's pest controllers

Poison-resistant 'super rats' are driving an increase in Britain's rodent population and increasingly finding their way into homes and gardens around the Fine City.

Local experts believe that smarter measures of laying out rat bait need to be installed before the problem gets worse.

Norwich Evening News: Andrew Dellbridge, director of Old Catton-based Ace Pest ControlAndrew Dellbridge, director of Old Catton-based Ace Pest Control (Image: Andrew Dellbridge)

Andrew Dellbridge, director of Old Catton-based Ace Pest Control, said: "This is a national issue which Norfolk falls into, where rats are becoming used to bait which is put out domestically or professionally.

"This area is one of the designated counties where there is a known resistance to the bait that's used which is quite alarming.

"With the population explosion, it's always a worry but I'd recommend seeking professional advice on what to do before undertaking any action with a rodent infestation."

Kevin Murphy, who runs Norfolk Wildlife Rescue in Norwich, added: "Rats are hard-wired to survive and they have adapted to live in all kinds of conditions.

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Murphy, who runs Norfolk Wildlife Rescue in NorwichKevin Murphy, who runs Norfolk Wildlife Rescue in Norwich (Image: Kevin Murphy)

"Proper control methods need to be put in place to prevent breeding and inheritance of rogue genes, as it's believed some rats have developed a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to conventional poison. 

"So when it comes to rat control, if people don’t know what they're doing, they've already started to lose."