Despite numerous treatments carried out on the Somerville Square property over the years, including powders, sprays and other treatments, the ants keep returning.

And father of five, William Wiscombe (32), says he and his wife Elizabeth (30) are being driven to distraction by the insects which appear every year around the middle of April, and can still be there until September when the weather turns colder.

The infestation happens around the radiator in the living room of the house, and to make matters worse the couple's 18-month-old son Corin has started to pick them up and put them in his mouth.

"We try to keep him away, but it is not easy with all his sisters around. Occasionally the door will be left open and he gets in.

"Over the weekend it was really bad and we had to move the couch away from the radiator as we found them on it too.

"We called the council's environmental health department about two weeks ago, but nobody has even called us back, never mind been out to see us.

"In previous years they have come out and tried loads of different treatments which usually last about two weeks, then they are back again. It is just terrible, especially with a young baby around."

The family members are Ashley (12), Gayner (10), Laura (5), Corin (18 months) and two-month-old Zahra.

Mr Wiscombe said that he was not keen to put down any powders or sprays before talking to the environmental health service, because of the young children in the house.

"At the moment I am just pouring down boiling water and washing up liquid after the kids have gone to bed," he explained.

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