Mice infestation in my property!!! Don't know what to do?

[Freddy T.]

Hi guys,

So I have a huge problem. Apparently mice have taken over my duplex property. There are mice in both units and colonies in the walls and vents and they are even chewing the walls. The bottom unit tenant is complaining and blaming me for the problem, telling me that "This isn't a good way to keep tenants," and that I should be "ashamed of myself."  

Before any tenants moved in, I had it inspected with a pest specialist and he told me it was clean of any kind of pests and saw nothing wrong with it, but won't know until humans actually start living there. 

The tenant did take with him a bunch of boxes that he kept in a storage unit for many years and has boxes everywhere in the apartment, his closet, the garage, kitchen, living room, the basement, everywhere. Boxes upon boxes upon boxes full of old stuff. I suspect that that is the problem, but he gets defensive when I tell him that. 

I bought him lots of mouse traps to set up everywhere in the house but he keeps nagging me everyday and wants me to magically have them disappear. Its in the middle of winter too with freezing temperatures everyday. 

Has anyone experience this? What should I do?

[Dan Maciejewski]

Me, I hire an exterminator.  Self help rodent eviction isn't in my scope of talents.

 Let him tell you the entry points and cause.  If a professional tells you it's the tenant's fault, then bill the tenant.  Just like if the plumber tells you the clogged pipes are from "flushable wipes."  

If it's just "bad luck" that they found your place because of the weather, then foot the bill yourself.  And make sure that all entry points are sealed.

Like @Nathan Gesner said, it will probably be a process either way.