A family living in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing in St. John’s claim they are overrun with rats.

The family, which includes two small children, has been dealing with the issue for six weeks. It appears to have stemmed from the recent construction in the downtown area.

Mary Taylor took to social media with shocking pictures she says illustrates the extent of the problem. Speaking on behalf of the family, she says rats are climbing in the cupboards, in the sink, and on the counters. One even hissed and lunged at the dad, another one bit the cat.

An exterminator has been brought in to get the problem under control, but Taylor told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly the problem hasn’t improved, in fact it’s gotten worse.

Taylor says the house is no place for a family with kids to live.

She says a housing inspector with Newfoundland and Labrador housing came to do an inspection, and while he said the rats are definitely a big issue and probably more than the exterminators can deal with, it’s not considered an infestation. And until it’s considered an infestation, the family is expected to live there.

The children and cat have left the home, leaving the mom who is confined to one room.

Taylor says the problem is so bad they cannot keep up with it, trapping at least three rats a night.

Taylor is trying to raise awareness about the issue so that the family can be moved. She says so far she has been getting nowhere.