BWI airport pledges to get rid of mice

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BALTIMORE, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Officials at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport pledged to clear the facility of mice after complaints from passengers.

Passengers waiting for a Southwest flight at Gate 5 in Concourse B Friday night said they saw a group of mice searching for food near the gate, The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday.

"It was more than one. There was one by the window and one in the middle of the room. People were startled, horrified. Some jumped out of their seats, some literally said, 'Eek,'" said Pete Wright, an author and Virginia lawyer. "The lady sitting next to me jerked up and raised her feet off the floor. She was wearing sandals, and a mouse had run into or over her foot."

Jonathan Dean, a spokesman for the airport, said the mice come inside the facility from the surrounding grassland and woods. He said the mice have had an easy time getting into the airport this year due to constriction projects.

Dean said the pest control company employed to keep the airport free of mice is increasing its efforts.

"We have a vigorous, joint effort with our tenants," Dean said. "BWI is fully committed to pest control. This is a major priority."