Mice Pose Problem at S.C. Nursing Home

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Officials with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health say mice have invaded the Tucker Care Center, a state nursing care facility, according to a report from WLTX-TV in Columbia, S.C.

The rodents have been spotted in the bedrooms, the cafeteria, and in common areas at the center. Department of Mental Health officials the problem is limited to one building on the Tucker Care Center campus, the Roddey Pavilion, which is home to 198 elderly mental health patients.

Tucker Care Center Executive Director Laura Hughes issued the following statement to the news station:

“In November 2005, Tucker Center recognized the presence of mice in the facility. This was thought to be the result of new construction in the vicinity of the home. The immediate responses by Tucker Center Administration included: heightened pest control activities by the pest control contract provider, environmental modifications to the physical plant by sealing all possible portals of entry, and monitoring daily by Infection Control for evidence of these pests. The sightings are limited to the Roddey Pavilion, which houses 198 residents. All efforts to correct this problem are mindful of resident safety. The pest control company will maintain a daily presence in the facility until the concern is eradicated.”