Tenants must pay for pest control.

A York mother was forced out of her home after it was infested by swarms of flying ants.

Clair Milnes, who has a ten-month-old son, Paul Ashley, and is expecting another baby, spent time at the homes of a neighbour and her mother after finding thousands of the insects in her Etty Avenue home three weeks ago.

She has now returned, despite the continuing problem and fears for her son, who lives surrounded by ant repellent.

The family's plight is only one in a number of complaints of infestations of homes as high temperatures and humidity levels cause an increase in the insects' numbers.

Clair said: "I just can't get rid of them. They are crawling all over the house and I find them absolutely revolting.

"I've covered the house in ant powder, but I'm scared stiff that it could affect my son."

She said she had reported the problem to City of York Council. She was told it would cost £45 for pest control staff to treat the house.

In Acomb, pensioner Michael Dodds also complained of trouble with the insects. He said: "The ants were pouring out of the walls of this council-owned building from multiple points.

"My rear wall is riddled with them. When I reported this problem, I was told that I would have to pay for the pest control people to come out.

"Isn't that what council tax is for, to pay for repairs and services?"

The Evening Press reported earlier this week that complaints had been made to York pest control officers of swarms of ants in streets.

A spokesman for City of York Council said: "Over the last week it is true to say that we had a number of calls from householders about flying ants on their properties, although senior staff were never made aware of them because the calls were dealt with quickly when they came in.

"The seasonal and temporary arrival of flying ants this week was not a health hazard and, as we have stressed, is usually a temporary phenomenon.

"Where residents have advised us they have ants' nests on premises, we have offered to respond as quickly as possible with regard to the urgency and seriousness of the situation and in relation to other pest control incidents."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk