A derelict home has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and vermin, making life a nightmare for area residents.And one neighbour claims that a pine tree left to grow unchecked on the abandoned Sandys property is contaminating water supplies, because its seeds are being scattered onto the roofs of nearby homes and getting caught in guttering.Ray Crofton said he has made repeated complaints to Environmental Health officials, but had been left frustrated by a lack of action. Complaints to the owner have also gone unheard, he claimed.Mr Crofton, 59, who lives next door to the eyesore on East Shore Road, said it was abandoned shortly after his family moved to the area nine years ago.He said that his wheelchair-bound wife and elderly mother could not enjoy evenings outside in their yard because mosquitoes were so prevalent, while disease-carrying rats also roamed the area.“It’s a beautiful neighbourhood, but that house is making our lives a nightmare,” Mr Crofton said.“I have spoken to the Environment Ministry countless times pretty much from day one, but nothing seems to get done. Someone did come over to put down some rat poison, but that hasn’t solved the problem. You can hear the rats scurrying around at night. These things are huge. People think they’re cats, but they’re not — they’re rats.”Mr Crofton said that the roof of the cottage had partially collapsed, allowing pools of rainwater to form inside the building, which created the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.“My wife is disabled and neither she or my mother can go out at night, the mosquitoes are so bad,” Mr Crofton said.“They went outside the other evening and ended up being covered in bites.”The commercial fisherman and hotel worker added that seeds from a pine tree were being blown onto roofs and gutters, leaching toxins into water tanks.“I feel like just taking a chainsaw to that tree, because nobody else seems willing to do anything about it,” he said.“The whole property is a health hazard that’s affecting my family and other people in the neighbourhood. I’ve spoken to the owner about it and we’ve also tried to get public health to work with us, but nothing ever gets done about it.”A Government spokesman last night said Environment Health Officials were aware of the problem, and had been monitoring the situation for some time.“Environmental Health is aware of the property and an investigation is underway,” said the spokesman. “It should be noted that officers from Vector Control continue to treat the property for rodents.”