Rats tear up residents' homes in The Villages

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THE VILLAGES, Fla. — People who live in along Carolina Court in The Villages of Santiago neighborhood told Channel 9’s Myrt Price Thursday they’re dealing with a rodent problem.

They said they’ve tried to get rid of the rats, but said it hasn’t been easy.

Sally Childs showed Eyewitness News where she said rats have chewed thru the screen in her patio and left holes all over.

Childs said her sons replaced the screen, but the next day, the rats were back and chewed more holes, ate her tomatoes and citrus plants.

“The big one I saw behind my hot tub was this size, close to a foot long,” Childs said, gesturing.

She and her neighbors said they reached out to officials with the Villages, but they said they’ve had to deal with the problem on their own.

Eyewitness News also reached out to officials with the Villages, but have not heard back.

Childs has hired exterminators.

It’s still a mystery where the rats are coming from.

“I just want to get rid of them. I didn’t come to the Villages to be tormented with a rat infestation,” Childs said.

Contact Myrt Price for more on this story.