Residents fear rubbish being dumped by fly-tippers on land near their homes is encouraging rats.
Furniture, mattresses and, more recently, a fridge-freezer, are among the rubbish left on a site behind houses, flats and businesses in Woodgreen Road, Northfields, Leicester.
Mitesh Wagehla, a spokesman for the residents, has lived in the area for just over two years and said the problem had escalated since the end of December.
He said: "To give the council credit, it has been out to clear up the mess – the last time was about three months ago, but no sooner is it gone, than people come and dump some more there.
"No-one sees them do it but the proof is there for everyone to see.
"The signs saying fly-tipping is against the law are up but they are being ignored."
Mr Wagehla believes food waste is also being dumped along with the rest of the rubbish and this has attracted vermin.
"There is no doubt there are rats running around. The other night when I was driving home from work I saw what I first took for rabbits scuttling about.
"Then I thought rabbits don't hang around rubbish – and their ears weren't long enough. They were rats."
Leicester City Council has confirmed that the land on which the rubbish is being tipped is owned privately and that they are contacting the landowners – who have not been identified – to remove the refuse.
A spokesman said: "We have investigated and this rubbish is on private land, so we are writing to the owners requesting they remove it.
"If this approach doesn't resolve the issue, we would consider using our enforcement powers to order those responsible for the site to clean it up.
"If there are rats present at the site, the issue should be reported to us by calling 0116 454 1001.
"We can use our environmental health powers to clear sites and bill the owners if rats are found to be on the site.
"People can use the same number to tell us if they witness fly-tipping or have information about who may be fly-tipping."
