Mice infestation in our flat.

MrINeedOfHelp

Hi all,

Since August our property has had issues with mice on and off, we've reported it to the landlord on multiple occasions and all we get each time is these useless sticky pads that we are asked to leave about the flat.

In our property every tenant has complained about this issue and nothing has ever been done about it, if memory serves me right there has only be been about 2 months (Dec-Jan) where I didn't witness or see any mice around my flat since we first reported the issue in August.

At first the Landlord would try and blame as they were coming from under the floor boards in the kitchen area, however if we were responsible in filling the holes were the mice are coming from it would mean tearing up the kitchen entirely to get to the holes and fix it.

Not sure where they are coming from with other tenants in the building, but since my partner is asthmatic and we have kids that visit usually on weekends (which I guess we will stop for the time being) is there a point in which we can go to the landlord and state enough is enough? we've reported this multiple times, nothing other gets done etc... and end the tenancy for health and safety reason due to my partners conditions and the risk of what diseases if any these mice could be spreading?.

MrJB

Do you rent your property from a Landlord who does not live in the house? If so, is this property in England/Wales?

If so Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 places liability on your landlord to ensure that the structure and exterior of the property is kept in good order and free from defects. If there are holes in the exterior of the property then these need to be fixed by your landlord to prevent the pest intrusion.

You may also be able to argue under the Defective Premises Act 1972, that defects in the premises are causing you health risks from exposure to mice faeces and urine.

suki1964

Sticky pads are cruel, go to the hardware shop and get snap traps and bait with peanut butter If you have seen a lot of mice you need to put a few down along their runs is along skirting on top of kitchen cupboards etc

Store all opened food in plastic containers or tins

Mice will get in any space where you can slide a 50p piece through

You need to look at the outside of the building see what gaps they are coming in. They need sealing with wire wool and then cement

Have you rung your local council to see what control they offer, or what they can force your landlord to do?

MrINeedOfHelp

MrJB wrote: »

Do you rent your property from a Landlord who does not live in the house? If so, is this property in England/Wales?

If so Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 places liability on your landlord to ensure that the structure and exterior of the property is kept in good order and free from defects. If there are holes in the exterior of the property then these need to be fixed by your landlord to prevent the pest intrusion.

You may also be able to argue under the Defective Premises Act 1972, that defects in the premises are causing you health risks from exposure to mice faeces and urine.

suki1964 wrote: »

Sticky pads are cruel, go to the hardware shop and get snap traps and bait with peanut butter If you have seen a lot of mice you need to put a few down along their runs is along skirting on top of kitchen cupboards etc

Store all opened food in plastic containers or tins

Mice will get in any space where you can slide a 50p piece through

You need to look at the outside of the building see what gaps they are coming in. They need sealing with wire wool and then cement

Have you rung your local council to see what control they offer, or what they can force your landlord to do?

Thanks for the advice I will do the above.

Landlord does not live in the property, is in London, will certainly look the acts mentioned

I've not yet called the council but certainly will, and the advice about food seems like a solid suggestion.

With cupboards I'll probably empty them out first and check for any holes and put any open food in containers, would tinned food be ok?

bouicca21

Personal experience suggests to me that there is probably a nest under the building. When I had the b@ggers it proved impossible to eradicate them as no one would spearhead a coordinated building wide attack. They climbed the wall bypassing the lady below who had an electronic scarer which she swore by.

They can get through any hole that you can push a pencil through and there were holes way bigger than that behind the cabinets in my kitchen. Blocking them up with wire wool and squirty plastic was the best solution, but eventually the wire wool and plastic start collapsing and you have to do it all over again. If you use snap traps and bait you have to be spot on about placing them on the mouse route. Sprinkle flour over the floor lightly at night and look for the little footprints the next morning in order to identify the route they take.

I suspect the most effective way of getting rid of them is to borrow a Jack Russell.

Good luck.

McTaggus

We have an annual mouse problem, which always seems to be at its worst at this time of year. This year is no exception… last three weeks, I have caught six and can still hear more in the ceiling void and behind the walls…. We always use humane traps, but release them all a couple of miles away so we know they're not going to be coming back in any time soon.

LL says its not his responsibility, as he has also said the hornets nest in the loft is not his responsibility… We have all food stored in sealed containers, deep clean the kitchen on a very regular basis, and no food (like xmas stocking chocolates) are allowed to be kept in anything other than sealed containers. Drives me mad, but doesn't seem to be anything we can do about it!!!!

G_M

McTaggus wrote: »

We have an annual mouse problem, which always seems to be at its worst at this time of year. This year is no exception… last three weeks, I have caught six and can still hear more in the ceiling void and behind the walls…. We always use humane traps, but release them all a couple of miles away so we know they're not going to be coming back in any time soon.

Need at least 2 miles or theyll come back. I've tested this by using tipex on the back of a mouse before driving it 2 miles.

It came back.

I'd recommend:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7430422.htm

Get several. Peanut butter is the best bait.

comeandgo

If you have mice they are getting food. Make sure all food is stored in containers, clean up spills and crumbs before you go to bed, leave nothing out. They will get in the tiniest hole, you could try parcel tape along some of the smaller holes in the floor or walls.

[Deleted User]

I had two mice infestation periods in an old victorian terrace. I laid snap traps and killed 12. No more mice seen. The second time I only killed 6. But no more seen. The second time I purchased rentokil plastic snap traps and they were easier to set, the woooden cheapo ones were very difficult. I used chocolate spread as bait.

I didn't find out where they were coming from in spite of using floresecent tracking powder. I didn't block up holes but I did keep the place scrupulously clean (cleaned worksurfaces before and after use) and food all sealed in plastic boxes. However I did not find any evidence of mouse droppings around food somehow.

You don't need to stop your children coming round, really. Just clean.

I've now moved out.

Norman_Castle

At first the Landlord would try and blame as they were coming from under the floor boards in the kitchen area, however if we were responsible in filling the holes were the mice are coming from it would mean tearing up the kitchen entirely to get to the holes and fix it.

Depending on exactly what holes there are you may get to them by removing the plinths.

As above, sticky pads are cruel and should be banned.

j_yorks

It does seem unusual (and indeed quite unlikely) that yours is the only flat affected.

I would suggest your landlord (and possibly the other owners in the building) look into getting the entire building professionally treated.

Also second the above advice to see what the council can do - although this can vary wildly from one to another.