Steaming locals blame dirty diapers on trees for rat infestation

By Adam Dutton

Dirty diapers hurled from a block of flats into a TREE have sparked a rat and mouse invasion, furious residents claim.

Locals started noticing the used diapers dangling from the branches outside a block of flats in Smethwick, Birmingham, last month.

They claim at least one resident is lobbing them off the balconies of Cygnet Court.

Others have reported seeing an increase of rats and mice crawling over the foul items as they fall to the ground.

Resident Ian Johnson, 55, said: "It's disgusting. Where is the common sense?

"You don't like walking by the trees because there are quite a few rats about and they all carry loads of diseases.

"No one is doing anything about it."

Another local said: "A few weeks ago we started seeing diapers stuck in the tree.

"It appears some scumbags have been throwing them off a balcony in the flats.

More from this section

David Orazietti Reviews Teaching Models and Learning Theories

Can’t let go? Nearly half still use their parents’ home as storage

HOAs are often barriers to sustainable landscaping and solar energy – here’s how they could be bridges instead

"They either land in the tree or on the path. It's just disgusting. Who does that?

"There's definitely been more rats in the area since this has been going on.

"I've seen them climbing up the trees to get at the diapers. It's not on.

"It's bad enough flytippers dumping rubbish on the street but now soiled diapers are being chucked in trees as well. It's grim."

Mom-of-two Michelle Riley, 40, said she's scared to let her two young daughters out alone.

She said: "I don't want my kids walking past there if there are foul diapers dropping from the trees.

"No one is doing a thing to stop whoever it is from doing this. I just worry it'll attract more flytipping and gross behavior."

Residents say they see a freshly thrown diaper every few days but catching the culprit is proving difficult.

The flats are run by Midland Heart Housing who also charge residents £177 ($240) a month for ground rent and maintenance.

Midland Heart has been approached for comment.