A mother living in Ocean Hill is demanding help for a rat problem that she says is causing a financial burden for her.

Cars are parked along Hull Street but for some of these cars, it's become a new home for rats.

"I'm the second person on this block whose car wires were eaten because of the rats," said Melissa, from Ocean Hill.

Melissa moved to the neighborhood two years ago and told News 12 she has experienced a rat nightmare.

"I don't understand why they are so many rats on the block because if you notice, a lot of people do take care of their garbage," said Melissa.

News 12's Shniece Archer walked up and down Hull Street and noticed that garbage was inside bins, but Melissa said the rats started hiding in cars.

"I took my car to the mechanic on July 1 last Monday they told me that they did the diagnostics check, it and that my wires were chewed up," she says.

Melissa shared photos with News 12 showing a chewed-up wire that she said cost her close to $500.

"That's another thing I got to do, change all the filters in my car because I don't know where else they might have laid feces at, so that's another expense that I have to dish out of my pocket," said Melissa.

Melissa filed two 311 complaints and was redirected to the Department of Health.

They told News 12 some of the ways to reduce the rat population include managing garbage, as well as repairing cracks and holes in sidewalks which give rats a place to live.