Sadly neither wee nor cowerin’, it appears there has been an increase in the numbers of mice in the area. Several flats on the odd-numbered side of Nithsdale Road have reported the sudden appearance of our furry foes since January.

If you think you’ve got mice, don’t suffer in silence! Two residents will be visiting the closes in turn next week to find out the scale of the problem and to see if we can co-ordinate a response.

Given the timing of their appearance, the Society have also contacted the council and Forkers to see if this is a problem they’ve come across before during these types of work and if they can offer advice.

In the meantime, general advice for those with a mouse in the house:

Tell-tale signs you have mice: droppings, especially in cupboards and on kitchen work surfaces – they are about the size of a grain of rice and pointed at the ends -, nibble marks or holes in boxes and containers, mysterious squeaks and noises. If you want to be sure, try covering a small area of floor or work surface in your kitchen with cornflour or ordinary flour before you go to bed. Rodents will leave a trail of footprints through it.

Getting rid of mice is tricky, especially if they are established in a terraced block. In your own home, keep on top of crumbs and food waste. Store cereals, rice, flour etc in sealed containers, locate small holes around your house and fill, even if just with rolled up newspaper.

Residents have been trying traps and poison with varying degrees of success. If the problem is as widespread as we suspect it may be worth clubbing together to get the problem treated, otherwise the mice will simply move from house to house!