Mice on the London Underground
Request ID: FOI-0090-1920
Date published: 03 May 2019
You asked
I would ask you some questions to read a little article about mice living in the undergound system. Here's the questions :
- At what time are we most likely to see them ?
- Why is there so many mice in the underground ?
- Is it an environment conducive to their proliferation ?
- How many mice where there last year ?
- What do the TFL to eradicate them ?
- Is it dangerous for health reasons ?
- Are there specifics areas or underground stations more affected than others ?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0090-1920
Thank you for your request received on 8 April 2019 asking for information about mice on the London Underground.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy.
It is estimated that there are half a million mice living across the London Underground network. Mice can be found in many environments such as forests and grasslands, or any manmade structure where they can find warmth, shelter, and food. They are not unique to the London Underground and are found on other transport systems around the world. Mice can be seen at any time of the day across the entire network, however mice are nocturnal so in general are more active at night.
As with most vermin, mice can spread disease and cause damage to property. Regular pest control and management is carried out across the network. We make every effort to eradicate vermin from our properties, but littering and unwanted food and water sources nearby pose an ongoing challenge. We rely heavily on neighbouring properties and customers to help us manage this issue by not discarding food sources and litter near our tracks or at stations.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]
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