Failure to Implement Effective Pest Control Measures for Mice
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement effective pest control measures to eliminate mice from multiple areas, including resident rooms, the dry food storage room, and nourishment kitchens. Numerous residents reported frequent sightings of mice in their rooms, with some stating that mice ran across their beds, lived behind air conditioning units, and left droppings on personal items and bedding. Observations confirmed the presence of mouse droppings, holes in walls near HVAC units, and shredded materials believed to be used by mice for nesting. In some cases, residents resorted to personal methods, such as using snake cage shavings, to deter mice due to the ongoing problem. Interviews with residents consistently revealed that mice were a persistent issue throughout the facility, with reports of mice running in hallways, being found in beds, and even being seen in common areas such as the shower room and nourishment kitchens. Observations in the dry storage room and nourishment kitchen revealed mouse droppings, gnawed containers, and a dead mouse under food storage shelves. Some bait stations were found to be empty or missing bait, and in at least one instance, a resident requested a bait station due to the presence of mice in their room. Interviews with maintenance staff and the pest control vendor indicated that the facility's pest control program was not effectively addressing the rodent problem inside the building. Maintenance staff reported checking traps and bait stations only weekly or when time allowed, and the pest control vendor confirmed that their services were limited to treating for roaches inside and only checking exterior rodent bait stations. The vendor was not informed of the rodent problem inside the facility and did not provide rodent control services in resident areas, despite being aware of resident complaints.