'I have had them running around for weeks... it's not acceptable at a mother and baby unit'

'I found droppings in my crisp cupboard and boiler cupboard. They then chewed through my toilet roll and they were making a nest'

James Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter

06:05, 24 Apr 2025Updated 09:31, 24 Apr 2025

The young mum claimed there was a mouse nest in the boiler cupboard(Image: Submitted)

A young mum has told of how mice have been seen 'running out of skirting boards' and leaving 'droppings in kitchen cupboards' at a mother and baby unit in Wythenshawe.

The 22-year-old, who asked to remain anonymous but has a child aged two, said that she and her neighbour downstairs had been dealing with the problem in their flats since the end of March, with nests found in her boiler cupboard and rolls of toilet paper chewed through.

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She said she alerted staff to the problem, which she claims was a risk to her child's health, but was not put into emergency accommodation until weeks later - and now demands for the flat to be given a deep clean and for her to have assurances the pests had gone before willingly returning.

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The landlord of the property, on Nathan's Road, is Onward Homes. They said they are 'very sorry' for the disruption the infestation caused and that they are working on supporting her while the mouse issue is tackled.

Last Friday, the tenant had an emergency meeting and was put in temporary accommodation in the interim.

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"It was first reported on March 31 by another tenant who lives below me. There are 24 hour staff at the unit who support mothers with mental health issues," the mum told the Manchester Evening News.

Mouse droppings on the floor(Image: Submitted)

"Pest control did come out and put bait down the following Tuesday in her flat - but nobody came in my flat to do it. Last week, pest control then came out and told us it was a bigger problem and was not an overnight job.

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"I found droppings in my crisp cupboard and boiler cupboard. They then chewed through my toilet roll and they were making a nest. I have tried to fill holes in the wall with tissue paper but they've just chewed through it.

"I said I wasn't staying there with my daughter. It's not a healthy or safe environment for a child to be in. Last Friday, we got in touch with the head office and we were put in emergency accommodation. Now we are in a hotel tonight.

Mouse droppings were reportedly found in the crisp cupboard(Image: Submitted)

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"I have said I want full reports on how they are sorting the problem and for the home to be sanitised. I am not comfortable going back into my home when it can take weeks to sort and be fully addressed. We don't feel safe there.

"I have had them running around for weeks. It's not acceptable at a mother and baby unit where women have mental health issues and should be looked after.

"They are getting in via my boiler cupboard, where there are droppings. There are also droppings behind my fridge and in the cookers. I was on the couch with my daughter the other day when a mouse ran out from my skirting board and under the sofa.

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"I really suffer with my mental health, anxiety and have borderline personality disorder. This has had such a bad effect on me. They need to move us somewhere until it's fully sorted. I wasn't sleeping at night and wouldn't go to the toilet on my own. There's not a chance I'm going back while there are holes in the walls and they are still getting in."

A toilet roll had also been chewed through(Image: Submitted)

In response, a spokesperson for landlord Onward Homes said they have carried out works in the building and will return to the tenant's home to resolve the issue, including giving it a 'deep clean'.

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A statement read: “We are very sorry for the issues that [the tenant] has experienced and the disruption that this has caused for her family. Onward is working closely with our support providers, Creative Support, to ensure that [she] and her family are supported while we tackle the issue of mice in her home.

“We have carried out works in the building following previous reports of vermin, but clearly this has not fully resolved the issue. After reports of mice accessing the flat last week, alternative accommodation was provided. We will visit [the tenant's] home tomorrow to carry out further works to resolve these issues, including a deep clean of the flat, and will ensure that she is satisfied with the outcome.”