Rats infest Norfolk neighborhood

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Residents of a Norfolk neighborhood say an abandoned home is to blame for a rat invasion.

Cliff Carney contacted 10 On Your Side when he says no one else would help fix the problem. His home is next door to an abandoned house on Colin Drive off Tidewater Drive near Northside Park.

Carney has raised generations of his family on Colin Drive but was perturbed to find rats scurrying close to his home, usually at night.

"The people all through the neighborhood, we're tired of it. We're tired of the rats," Carney said.

Carney says he is losing sleep because he is worried about children playing outside being in danger, not just from the rats, but also from foxes which can be lured by rats.

"I'm concerned about the three children playing," Carney said. "They're running on the poles, running on the fences, running down the wood and it's pathetic."

The abandoned home has been empty for three years after an elderly couple passed away.

WAVY.com uncovered the home is owned by National Field Network, a property management company in New Jersey. Both the company and the City of Norfolk say they are looking into fixing the rat problem following WAVY's phone calls.

City officials tell WAVY.com all rat complaints are referred to the Norfolk Health Department.

An investigator from the Norfolk Health Department was sent to the home Thursday also following phone calls from WAVY.com.