Mice problem will cost $1800

[Khalid Johnson]

I own a rental property and the house has numerous mice. Professionals came out and said the house needs to be sealed for a total cost of $1,800. My wife went into the hospital and I cannot afford to spend $1,800. All of a sudden the tenants are having problems paying the rent. I think its because of the mouse problem, but they haven't said anything. I think it was weird that rent was being paid on time and now the tenant is saying the army has messed up his paycheck for the month. What are my options.

[Shanti S.]

While it could be the tenants' fault for being slobs and providing food for the mice, I keep a very clean kitchen and house and still get mice almost every year. It can be nearly impossible to figure out where they are getting in, they can fit thru a 1/4 inch hole and climb walls.

I use peanut butter and old fashioned mousetraps until the whole family is gone - then I know I won't have little corpses in my walls, plus I see when I catch them so I know it's working. I've tried some of the new and improved traps and nothing works like the old standard so far.

I have heard landlords who swear by allowing ONE cat for the FIRST floor tenant, even if they normally don't allow pets - solves the problem :-)