SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Under the hood of a Normal Heights car owner was a stunning discovery: A swath of insulation missing and hints of a larger problem.
Herman Ackerman has lived in Normal Heights for 25 years, but this may be the first time he's seen a common issue get this severe. Rats leaving droppings around the neighborhood, chewing up car wires and making nests in vehicles.
"Very invasive and a lot of destruction, all the neighbors seem to have them," Ackerman said. "Seems to be very bad this year."
10News reporter Michael Chen spoke with an expert about what residents can do and what could be causing the surge of rats on 10News at 6 p.m.
As residents grow increasingly frustrated, the problem could persist. According to Ackerman, the problem lies just beyond the backyard in a nearby canyon.
"They have to deal with it like I do. Something we deal with being canyon dwellers," he said.
He tells 10News the problem has spread to his chicken coop, where he captured video of several rats running around.
Neighbors have also reported chewed wires in vehicles, which could run hundreds of dollars in damage. Ackerman's vehicle was also a victim. A photo showed rats had chewed through insulation under his car's hood.
"Basically them against us and we just don't know who's going to win," Ackerman said.
