Craig McDonald, a 38-year-old tenant from Greenock, Scotland, has been forced to leave his top-floor flat after it became infested with thousands of wasps. The insects have repeatedly stung him, his two dogs, and his cat, making his home uninhabitable. McDonald has temporarily moved in with his mother and fears he may have to stay away until the infestation is fully cleared.
Infestation began two weeks ago
The trouble began two weeks ago when McDonald first noticed wasps in his bedroom. The swarm entered through cracks in the ceiling, and the problem has escalated to the point where he can no longer enter the room. A neighbour raised the alarm after hearing an unusual sound coming from the loft, but Oak Tree Housing Association, the landlord, initially suggested it might be rare bats and advised leaving them alone.
McDonald said: 'This is having a serious impact on my health. I am worried about my dogs and my cat. I have not had a decent sleep in 10 days. I can't get to my bed. We are getting stung all the time. It is nasty.'
Landlord's response criticised
McDonald claims Oak Tree Housing Association did not deal with the wasp nest in the roof space or remove the insects. When he contacted them, they told him it couldn't be a wasp's nest because of the time of year. They later sent pest control, but the treatment was ineffective.
'They sent in pest control. The guy was spraying something onto the roof. But then he went and put on all his protective gear, while I was standing in a pair of trousers, and asked me to help plug the gaps. It made no difference, and the nest is still there. I need rid of it,' McDonald said.
He also contacted environmental health but was told to go back to his landlord. McDonald has been left in agony from the stings and is deeply worried about his pets, who 'don't know what is happening to them'.
Housing association responds
In a statement, Oak Tree Housing said: 'We are aware of the issue raised by Mr McDonald and are dealing with him directly with a view to resolving the matter as quickly as possible. As this concerns an individual tenant and his home, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the details of the case.'
McDonald has warned Oak Tree that he will not be available for a scheduled pest control visit, as he has been forced to leave for a period. He told them to send someone the day after, and he would arrange to be in. He added: 'They need to do something. I cannot live in here. It is a health hazard. I am in agony from the stings. It is horrendous. I am worried about my pets. I am trying to protect them because they don't know what is happening to them.'
Health and safety implications
Wasp stings can cause significant pain, swelling, and in severe cases, allergic reactions. McDonald's case highlights the potential dangers of delayed pest control in rental properties. Tenants facing similar issues are advised to document all communication with landlords and contact local environmental health services if necessary.
Oak Tree Housing Association has not provided a timeline for resolving the issue, leaving McDonald in limbo. He remains at his mother's home, hoping for a swift resolution so he can return to his flat and his normal life.
