Autumn Lake Catonsville: Mouse Infestation Found - MD
Inspectors found evidence of mice at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Catonsville during an August visit, discovering fresh droppings in a conference room behind boxes of copy paper. The facility's Licensed Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged the findings when surveyors pointed them out at 7:10 AM.
The mouse problem persisted despite weekly visits from All State Pest Management Service, the facility's contracted pest control company. Inspection reports from the pest control company revealed a pattern of ongoing rodent activity throughout the building over multiple months.
During one service visit, the pest control technician found a deceased mouse under a refrigerator. The technician's report stated they "inspected and treated activity room for prior mice activity" and handled "occasional invaders" at all four nurses' stations.
Subsequent visits showed the problem spreading. Technicians repeatedly treated the kitchen area, dishwasher room, rehabilitation gym, and nourishment rooms for what they termed "occasional invaders." The country inn section of the facility required multiple treatments for "prior mice activity."
The most concerning discovery came when pest control records showed "mice activity reported in room [ROOM NUMBER]." Technicians had to inspect and treat an actual resident room for rodent problems.
Weekly service reports painted a picture of persistent infestation. Technicians replenished mouse bait stations "as needed" and continued finding evidence requiring treatment across virtually every area of the facility. The dining room, country inn office, and all four nurses' stations required ongoing attention for rodent control.
Federal surveyors reviewed pest management records spanning several months of service visits. Each report documented continued treatment needs, suggesting the weekly professional services were insufficient to eliminate the rodent population.
The family complaint that triggered the federal investigation specifically mentioned rodents in the facility. When inspectors arrived, they immediately found fresh evidence supporting the family's concerns.
The Licensed Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the facility used weekly pest control services but could not explain why the professional treatments failed to resolve the rodent problem. During the survey exit interview, facility management provided no additional information about plans to improve their pest control program.
Mouse droppings in healthcare facilities pose serious health risks to vulnerable nursing home residents. The elderly population served by nursing homes often has compromised immune systems, making them particularly susceptible to diseases that rodents can carry and transmit.
The inspection found that some residents were directly affected by the rodent problem, with pest control technicians required to treat at least one resident room for active mice activity. The scope of the infestation extended beyond common areas into spaces where residents live and receive care.
All State Pest Management Service had been servicing the facility weekly, yet their own reports documented ongoing problems month after month. The technicians treated the same areas repeatedly, suggesting their initial treatments were not effective in eliminating the source of the infestation.
The conference room discovery during the federal inspection showed that mice continued to find new areas to inhabit, even in administrative spaces where food storage might attract them. Copy paper boxes provided cover for rodent droppings, indicating mice were establishing themselves throughout the building.
Nursing stations required constant treatment for "occasional invaders," a term that understated the persistent nature of the rodent problem. Four separate nursing stations needed ongoing pest control attention, suggesting the infestation affected multiple wings or floors of the facility.
The kitchen and dishwasher areas received repeated treatments, raising concerns about food safety and sanitation in areas where resident meals are prepared. Rodent activity in food preparation areas creates additional health hazards beyond the basic presence of mice in the building.
Federal inspectors classified the violation as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm to some residents. However, the persistent nature of the problem and its presence in resident rooms elevated concerns about the facility's ability to maintain a sanitary environment.
The facility's pest control program clearly failed to address the root causes of the infestation. Weekly professional services should have been sufficient to control a rodent problem, yet months of treatment records showed continued activity requiring ongoing intervention.
At the conclusion of their investigation, federal surveyors noted that facility management offered no additional plans or information about improving their pest control effectiveness, leaving questions about how they intended to resolve the ongoing rodent infestation.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Autumn Lake Healthcare At Catonsville from 2025-08-18 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
AUTUMN LAKE HEALTHCARE AT CATONSVILLE in CATONSVILLE, MD was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 18, 2025.
The facility's Licensed Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged the findings when surveyors pointed them out at 7:10 AM.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.