Our council flat is infested with tropical ANTS whose bites left my kid, 14, battling deadly sepsis – no one will help
A 14-YEAR-OLD was rushed to hospital after an ant bite she sustained became infected.
Rayanne Turay, 14, went into septic shock following the incident.
The bite is believed to have been caused by an ant infestation at the council house where Rayanne lives.
Mum Jordann Griffiths, 33, says she has been in contact with Wandsworth Council for years over repair issues at the property in Battersea.
This includes mould and a mouse infestation as well as the recent infestation of bugs – which Jordann believes are tropical ants.
The teaching assistant said: “I have lived in my flat for 15 years and have had issues with mice and mould.
“But in February I started to notice ants in the kitchen and bathroom. It gradually got worse – we were seeing them in the bedroom and in the front room.
“Rayanne started to see them in her bed. They would even get into my wardrobe and get on all my clothes.”
After the mum and her daughter suffered nasty bites, the council sent over workers who applied ant killer to keep the pests at bay.
“It did absolutely nothing”, she added.
“On October 11 I noticed Rayanne had bites all over her stomach and a trail going up to one of her arm pits.
“Some of them looked really sore and infected and I cleaned them.
“A couple of days later she had a temperature and I gave her some medicine. It went down but the temperature kept coming back.
“I took her to hospital but was told she probably had Covid and to take a test when we got home.
“We went home and she tested negative but she just kept getting worse. Last Friday she was struggling to breathe and I had to call an ambulance.”
Doctors have now confirmed she has developed sepsis from the infected bites.
Jordann said she has told the council and asked for emergency accommodation until she can be re-housed or the infestation is dealt with.
She said: “I can’t take my daughter back to that house to be bitten again. She has gone into septic shock, it’s a life threatening condition.
“The council has repeatedly told me I am not a priority – even though there are two of us living in a one-bed.
“I don’t know what to do, one of the council team’s has told me to fill out a homelessness form but that would mean I am intentionally making myself homeless.
“It’s so stressful and it’s heartbreaking to see her in the hospital bed. When we first came in her legs were changing colour, it was awful to see.
“I cannot bear to live like this anymore. I am frustrated and sad that this is really happening. I should not have be living like this.
“It’s a safety hazard and not habitable for the both of us, its dangerous and I refuse to go home.”
A council spokesperson said: “This is obviously a distressing set of circumstances and we sincerely hope this young person makes a swift and full recovery.
“We are aware of a Pharoah ant infestation at this resident’s property and using a pest control contractor we have treated the property three times over the summer and will continue to repeat the treatments until the problem has been dealt with.
“A number of necessary repairs to the property are also in hand and we will work with the resident to ensure these are completed as quickly as possible.”
How to get rid of ants in your home
- Store all food away, ideally in airtight containers, in cupboards or in the fridge.
- Don’t leave food out in the open air, always cover and store away if possible.
- Clean up any food and drink spills as soon as they occur.
- Keep the house clean, remember to keep cupboards clean too.
- Wash pet bowls regularly, remember ants are partial to cat and dog food too!
- Take out your rubbish regularly.
- Clean your entire kitchen with a natural, homemade anti-ant spray, made with one part water and one part vinegar to destroy their pheromones and present infestations.