Residents' horrified as thousands of maggots invade their homes in mystery infestation

The source of thousands of maggots in Spennymoor, County Durham, which have plagued horrified residents for more than a week has baffled experts. Some householders are too frightened to open their windows and have been forced to block their doors with tea towels to stop the creepy-crawlies getting in.



The maggots have mainly been crawling out of drains and manhole covers in the Edward Street and Flora Street area of the town, but reports are emerging of the creatures appearing in gardens in Craddock Street, Mayfields and Tyne Crescent. However, a survey carried out by Northumbrian Water revealed no trace of maggots, flies or blockages in the main sewer serving the worst affected area. Residents have been referred to Durham County Council’s pest control team but resent having to pay the £40 fee, when the source of the problem remains unknown.



And their own attempts to stop infestation by bleaching and hosing down their yards have had little effect. Elle Moore, of Edward Street, said: “It is like something from a horror film, the case of the mystery maggots. They are coming out of the drains but no-one knows why. The two men who came out from Northumbrian Water worked so hard yesterday but they couldn’t find anything. They are completely baffled.” Checks at Melanie Hubbard’s home in nearby Flora Street proved equally fruitless and pregnant mother-of-one Kayla Leigh Seymour, of Craddock Street, is still waiting for answers.



“It wasn’t as bad last night but I still barricaded my back door with tea towels,” she said. “There were some there in the morning.” A Northumbrian Water spokesperson said: “We have carried out a camera survey of our sewer that serves properties on Rosa Street, Edward Street and Flora Street. No larvae, flies, maggots or obstructions were found in the pipe and the sewer is flowing freely as it should.” Joanne Waller, head of environment, health and consumer protection at the council, said officers planned to meet a Northumbrian Water representative on the site to assess the situation.