Foleshill mum suffers four-year mouse infestation

A Coventry mum claims her landlord has failed to tackle a four-year-long mouse infestation problem.



Rebecca Bayliss said she moved into the Circle Housing Association property in Foleshill in November 2011 and had been plagued by mice ever since.

The 24-year-old single mum-of-two said: “The house owner came round to paint my kids’ bedroom and a mouse came out when he moved the bed.

“There were little white footprints on the blue carpet.”

She added: “I’ve even found droppings on my pillow. I just feel violated.

“I’m paranoid all the time. I hear them when I’m lying in bed.”

Despite regular cleaning, Rebecca says she can’t escape the pests.

She said: “I was cleaning the bedroom the other day and the bottom draw was full of droppings.

“I hoover the house twice a day. I’m constantly wiping down things with baby wipes.

“I can’t even leave a fruit bowl on the kitchen side.”

Rebecca now fears that the mice could be making her children, aged three and five, ill.

She said: “Both have had worms and my eldest has sore lips. I’m just worried that it’s been caused by the mice.”

Rebecca believes the problem might be caused because she lives near a row of shops.

She said: “I’ve rang the housing association loads of times and they say the same thing. It’s my responsibility. I’ve told them I need help.

“I don’t feel safe. It doesn’t feel like a home. I feel like I’m just stuck here.”

Managing director of Circle Housing Mercian, John Downs, said: “We are doing everything that we can to resolve matters as quickly as possible, now that this has been brought to our attention.

"We have arranged to visit Miss Bayliss next Monday to see if further repair work is needed to resolve the issue.”

A spokesperson for Coventry City Council, whose pest control team first went to the property in 2013, said: “For domestic properties, treatment of rats, cockroaches, and bed bugs is free of charge.

“For other nuisance pests including mice (inside the house) there is a charge at a competitive rate and people can contact us for a quote. We respond within three working days.”

Visit http://www.coventry.gov.uk/pestcontrol

I think she ought be taking steps herself.

I once had one of the little blighters get into my cavity walls. It took me ages to get him. I put poison down in a small paper tray and the little b*gger tipped the poison out and took the tray!

Never underestimate animals Rebbonk the worrying part is a top scientist on tv that goes to out to the rainforest for disease s his biggest feared disease which he rates number one deadlist is from the urine of the ordinary house mouse

Hantavirus! (thankfully not in the UK.) - I had to look it up, very nasty.

I really didn't realise that mice carried such nasty things. - Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LMCV) seems common in the UK. LCMV is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease that presents as aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the membrane, or meninges, that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of both the brain and meninges). Individuals become infected with LCMV after exposure to fresh urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials.

Landlords aren't responsible if wasps make a nest in your home either. I was once asked by the council to pay £70 to remove them.

I am sure its just vermin the council will do it for free well they jave for me.

Yes Rebbonk and Pigeons and other birds carry diseases in their mess too I have loads from pigeons from Salem church trees over hanging my garden path so I cant even go up my path in case I bring it into my home and never disturb it when dry as it will make you ill inhaling the dust from it .

The odour and contaminants can quickly be spread around the building through the ventilation system and inhaling the bacteria and funguses in bird faeces can compromise your immune system causing diseases, including: Cryptococcsis, Histoplasmosis and Psittacosis.