Frightened householders have called on Fife Council to move in to eradicate “brazen” rats roaming round their gardens.
Residents in Methilhill believe vibrations caused by the demolition of the old Buckhaven High School may have disturbed rats’ nests, causing vermin to scatter.
The council has said it is investigating.
One woman said she was too frightened to put things in her bin at night after she saw a huge rat sitting on top of it.
Tracey Richardson from Ivy Grove said she had also witnessed her wheelie bin move as rats squeezed behind it.
Mrs Richardson and a number of her neighbours have now asked the local authority to send in specialist pest control officers to deal with the problem.
“We first noticed rats in the street at the end of July and the problem has escalated to the point where they are under my shed,” she said.
“There have been rats sitting on top of my blue bin surveying the area, which is extremely frightening.
“I’m seeing them in broad daylight too. That’s how brazen they are.”
Mrs Richardson’s complaint comes eight months after a horrendous horde of rats infested a street in Methil and burrowed into neighbouring homes.
It was resolved after Fife Council eventually moved in to clear away several tonnes of rubbish dumped on waste ground.
Mrs Richardson fears a similar situation will arise in Methilhill unless action is taken.
“These houses are built on old mine shafts so it could be that the vibrations from the demolition of the school have disturbed the nests and sent them out into the community,” she said.
“It could be because people are dropping litter or it could be a combination of the two.
Fife Council has urged people to put their litter in bins or take it home with them.
Graeme Anderson, dog and pest control technical officer, said: “Officers have been out to inspect the Ivy Grove area and have chatted with some of the residents.
“They haven’t encountered any issues so far but will continue to investigate.
“In general, pest control costs need to be met by the property owner but it is always dependent on the individual circumstances of the problem and we haven’t yet established if there is an issue in Ivy Grove or what the source might be.”
