My flat is infested with mice

David Moroney • Published 3 Sep 2010 14:00

A GREENOCK man claims his home is infested with mice - and says he had to go to hospital after one bit him on the toe.

Desperate Michael Leith, 23, says landlords River Clyde Homes have sent pest control experts to his flat in Westburn Buildings 23 times since February.

But he insists his life is still being made a misery by the pesky pests.

His partner, Jennifer McLumpha, 20, is five months pregnant - but has delayed moving in because of the mouse infestation.

Traps have been laid and pest control experts have used ultra-violet powder to track the movements of the rodents.

Michael said: “You could see that they had walked over kitchen work surfaces, on my kettle and even in my toaster. They have just been walking around the traps.

“I was bitten by a mouse - there was something moving behind the cabinet and when I went to look a brown rodent bit me on the toe.”

A concerned Michael contacted NHS 24 advisers, who told him to go to accident and emergency.

He said: “The blood was seeping out and I was put on a course of antibiotics for a week.”

Michael said he now faces further blood tests to ensure a separate cut hasn’t been infected by rodent poison.

In addition, Jennifer told how she has even been woken up by a mouse nibbling her hair.

She said: “I stayed over and we had taken the mattress into the front room.

“I woke up and I could feel it chewing at my hair and it scurried away. I got a real fright.”

To make matters worse, a water pipe at the flat burst on Saturday night, flooding the kitchen, hall and front room.

Michael said: “Because of the flooding it has washed the poison through the house.

“I have asked for somewhere temporary to stay - I have even been to the Inverclyde Centre but they just refer you to River Clyde Homes.

“River Clyde Homes said the property is perfectly liveable, but the baby is due on Christmas Day but the place isn’t fit for a baby.”

Michael, who says he finds droppings throughout the flat and has decided to stay at his parents on a number of occasions, added the pest-control experts have asked him not to keep items in his cupboards or wash away the ultra-violet powder being used to trace the mice. He said: “The house is a shambles.”

Meanwhile, his dad Gordon also expressed his concerns, saying: “River Clyde Homes said all the repairs are complete but there are holes in the walls, gaps in the floorboards and window sills the mice can get through.

“The whole thing is having an impact on his health and is affecting the whole family.”

But bosses at River Clyde Homes have insisted they have the problem under control.

A spokeswoman for the housing association told the Tele: “This problem is being handled by our pest control contractor who has confirmed that the pest control methods currently being used are proving effective.

“This situation is, and will continue to be, closely monitored.”

The spokeswoman added: “We can confirm an application for alternative housing is being pursued which River Clyde Homes is happy to discuss further if Mr Leith wishes.”

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 03 Sep 10

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