Melbourne is being over-run by mice and a Caroline Springs play centre is among the casualties.
Chipmunks play centre was forced to close last week for two days after complaints about mice faeces at the Western Highway business.
Cairnlea mother of two Kendi Evangelista was at the indoor play centre with her two daughters when a piece of play equipment was accidently pushed, revealing “hundreds of rat droppings”.
She informed staff, who swept up the faeces.
“They did not block off the area and [it] remained open until closing time,” she said.
Ms Evangelista made a complaint with Melton council, Kids Safe and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Council compliance manager Ian Stewart said council staff visited the centre last week to investigate.
“The owners are working with us to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, this includes cleaning and implementing preventative measures,” he told
Star Weekly.
On its Facebook page, Chipmunks Australia apologised to its customers.
“What happened yesterday was something we are very embarrassed and gutted about,” the post said. “We take kids safety very seriously and we are so heartbroken with what happened.”
Chipmunks isn’t the only Western Highway business grappling with mice.
Fantastic Furniture has been forced to call in pest controllers to deal with the vermin, which have been seen running around the store during the day.
Staff member Syanpha Thewma said five mice were recently spotted in a single day.
“We get them in because we have a warehouse, but it’s never been this bad,” she said. “I’ve been at this store for nearly two years, and it’s never been like this.”
Sunshine-based Amalgamated Pest Control’s Anthony Barrett said ideal breeding conditions were to blame for the rodent plague.
“The weather conditions over summer were ideal,” he said. “It wasn’t overly hot and we had plenty of rain around, which produced plenty of food for the mice, leading to more breeding.”
