To ask family member to get their 'stuff' out of my garage

[MaitlandGirl]

DPs Aunt is between houses and is storing loads of her belongings in our garage (which is an integral garage). It's a double garage absolutely chock full of 'stuff'.

It's been there for a couple of months and there's been a weird smell in there ever since it was put in there. Today I realised its mouse urine :(

I threw an epic tantrum when I realised and an even worse one when I saw a very large mouse (or more likely a small rat!!) run across the top of my Christmas tree box (which is also stored in the garage) and have declared she needs to get all her stuff out within the week.

DPs Aunt has declared its just a few mice and I'm overreacting but I've lived in a house with a severe mouse/rat infestation and I refuse to do so again.

We've put loads of traps down and rat bait but the whole garage needs emptying and the floor needs power washing to try and get rid of the smell.

So AIBU to tell DPs Aunt (who knew there were nice in her boxes) to get all her mouse ridden belongings out of my garage and into a storage unit within the week. She's living with my in laws at the moment and not paying rent so it's not as if she can't afford to pay for storage space.

OP said there's been a weird smell in there ever since it was put in there. Today I realised its mouse urine. This is indicating mice, a big infestation will smell like urine, so it is quite possible the aunt knew this when dropping the stuff off.

If the garage is integral then no, you're not being unreasonable. Mice (and snakes) aren't going to think oh well we will stay in the garage, to them it's one contiguous area. It's bad enough in the uk where once they're in your house they are hard to shift but down under you've got the snake angle too.

Did your aunt know when she dropped the boxes off?

I think you need to tell her you'll be cleaning the garage on date X, say a week from now and that she needs to arrange a storage unit. They're cheap enough. It won't be safe for you to wade through a cluttered, possibly snake infested garage if you leave it much longer.

Of course mice get into boxes, they chew through the cardboard or slip under the lid. British mice must be a tad slow if they just wander around and wee on the outside of the box. Australian mice think 'fuck this shit, I'm going in'.

I've had stuff in storage several times and never had it returned containing mice

Regardless of where the mice came from, you clearly need to sort ou the garage and get rid of the mice/rats.

So, I wouldn't blame her, but I'd explain that the garage needs sorting. She could have a choice of finding alternative storage or put her stuff in thick plastic boxes and proper shelving. And possibly help you sort out the garage rodent problem.

Eew. Surely they are ruining her stuff too by chewing it up and nesting in it? She needs to get it out!

Why do you assume the mice came with her stuff? They could have just arrived recently!

She needs to come and help you get rid of anything chewed and or ruined by clearing out the garage. Then she could put it into sealed storage or they'll be back. Or check soft furnishings incase a snake is living in it. Do snakes do that?

Otherwise I'm guessing you'll be having a really big bonfire for guy Fawkes night, as you'll have to get rid of everything ruined by rodents.

Snakes ? I'd be calling a man with a van and telling her that her stuff will be left under tarpaulin on the In-laws drive on X date unless she provides another delivery address. Sod. That.