Help! Can’t Sleep, Mouse in our second floor flat with a baby!

[OhBanana]

DP was with DD (3 months) in living room whilst I was sleeping in bedroom this evening and a tiny mouse ran along the floor in the living room!

DP is desperately trying to catch it, also trying to set up improvised traps with tape, peanut butter and glasses!

Have scooped up DD and now we’re both in the bedroom (she is sleeping thank goodness). I have already reached out to our landlord and also a local pest control company. Absolutely baffled by this though as we are second floor and have never had a mouse in the 2.5 years we have lived in this flat! (Also no other signs of mice, ie droppings or chewed up food/wires etc)

Do you MNers think there is a risk a mouse could climb into DDs crib? I need to sleep (so does DP) but we are so anxious about DD, I want to stay up and keep an eye on her!

Also does anyone know who is liable for the pest control bill? Our contract is very vague on this front and it’s not clear who would be to blame. We keep the flat in good clean order (we’re not perfect but we don’t leave food out etc) but also have never had a mouse before so don’t think LL is especially to blame either!

I would be equally worried in your shoes but I don't think the mouse will go near your baby.

Snickers is best for trapping them.

There is no way I would be sleeping tonight! I would be checking into the nearest hotel!

DPs parents live nearby but out of town until tomorrow - we would all be there already if they weren’t! Sadly can’t afford to check into a hotel if we’re about to foot a pest control bill 😭😭

The mouse won't hurt you or your baby. You can sleep easy on that score. Sort out pest control in the morning - check with your local council.

Move.

Helpful 🙄 as it happens we’ve just been strong armed into a renewed contract here so can’t for at least six months but I can dream I suppose!

We once had a mouse in a 2nd floor flat... turns out it was the neighbours pet that had escaped! Took DH about 3 weeks to catch the pesky thing'

I really hope it’s something like this and not a full scale invasion! Not aware of any neighbours owning a mouse though! I think if it takes my DP three weeks he will loose his mind - hopefully pest control can come early tomorrow!

It's just a mouse, it's not going to harm you. If you're that scared, put the baby in your room and put a rolled up towel along the base of the door so it cant get in.
It's more interested in food not you. So get a bucket and put some food in the bottom of it and build a ramp out of wood or a series of books. The mouse will climb up it, jump into the bucket to get the food and be unable to get out. Then take it outside and let it go.
It's just a mouse.

I'd be more concerned if it was a rat tbh. The only problem with mice is there usually so teeny and can get in the smallest of holes.

What do you think it it would do to the baby if it was in the cot?

Mice don't eat people.

It won't hurt your baby. A neighbours cat might have brought it into the building. I've just helped a baby field mouse back outside that one of mine brought in the poor thing. Mine don't seem to kill they just carry them in and then forget about them 🙄

Had a similar situation recently. If you pay a service charge, or the service charge is covered in your rent to the landlord then the building management company will cover the expense of the pest control company. The mice (and sorry to break it to you there's never just one) will be have entered your flat via the fabric of the building and thats the responsibility of the freeholder and their appointment management company.

There’s never just one mouse.
😉😁😁

No they don’t but they spread bacteria and viruses 🙄 rather not expose the baby to that!

We don’t pay a service charge and LL has told us we are liable to pay however the only obvious entry point is communal front door with nothing covering letterbox... if pest control confirm this as likely point of entry do you think we should forward the bill to them?

I think it only being one mouse is very hopeful thinking (but I’ll keep hoping)! We will see what the pest control say today! 🤞🏻

some councils provide pest control free of charge, have a look on your local council website.

Your LL will probably pay service charge.

In the first instance I'd get a couple of traps, but also talk to your local council as they may have a reciprocal agreement with some floral pest control companies.

Honestly, mice are not a big deal. In terms of pest infestations, IME mice are very low down the list of annoyance - rats, bedbugs, squirrels and wasps are all much more problematic when I've dealt with them!

Not floral, local!

Your landlord is either trying it on or is unaware of his responsibilities. The mice are getting access to the flat via a means that's out of your control.

The landlord (owner of your property) will pay a service charge to a freeholders management company.

They should cover the pest control.

Have you looked under the kickboards in your kitchen for droppings etc?

I wouldnt contact pest control directly as then your landlord will expect you to pay. Contact the landlord and ask them to.

Ive had a cursory look but tricky whilst looking after baby! Couldn’t see anything in or under lower cupboards but pest control will do a full inspection. Sadly I did contact building mgmt overnight and they essentially said get some traps and that it’s not their responsibility but I plan to fight it I think. The contract we have is intentionally vague about pests/infestation for this reason I suspect.

Also our local council do not offer pest control services so we haven’t much choice if we want it dealt with quickly!