Lindsay Eagleson was excited to discover a recently remodeled apartment in Halifax after spending 10 days living in her car. However, before moving her belongings into the Cowie Hill neighborhood building a few months ago, she encountered a problem. Upon noticing numerous cockroaches in the kitchen, Eagleson was initially shocked and unaware of what they were. Learning from online reviews and fellow residents, she discovered that the building was notorious for having issues with cockroaches and mice.
The infestation isn’t confined to just Eagleson’s apartment complex. Jesse Roach from Scotia Pest Control stated that there has been a significant surge in cockroach populations in recent years. Roach emphasized that the prevalence of cockroaches has expanded across various settings, including residential and commercial spaces, making it the most problematic pest currently.
One contributing factor to the escalating cockroach numbers is the lack of proactive measures to address the issue promptly, allowing the infestation to spread rapidly. Roach highlighted that combating an infestation requires thorough actions such as relocating appliances, deep cleaning the affected area, and consistent pesticide applications. Following these steps, continuous monitoring is crucial to prevent further infestations.
Despite the severity of the situation, Mariah Baker, a representative of ACORN Canada’s local chapter, mentioned that landlords and housing companies are inadequately responding to infestation reports. Residents like Heather Dunham, residing on Herring Cove Road, expressed distress over the infestation of cockroaches, mice, bedbugs, and occasionally snakes in their building, with the property owners failing to address the issue effectively.
Dunham shared her ordeal of using multiple sticky pads daily to catch cockroaches, which has become a financial strain. She revealed the lack of proper pest control measures by building management and the distressing living conditions caused by the infestation, leading to sleepless nights and constant fear of encountering roaches.
Efforts to reach out to Dunham’s building owner and manager by CBC remained unanswered. Both Eagleson and Dunham highlighted the reluctance of tenants in their buildings to report pest problems due to fear of repercussions.
Halifax regional councillor Patty Cuttell acknowledged receiving complaints about both properties, stating that investigations are ongoing. Despite spot treatments being conducted in specific units, Eagleson emphasized the need for a comprehensive fumigation of the entire building to effectively tackle the infestation.
In response to the situation, Hazelview Properties, the owner of Eagleson’s building, affirmed its collaboration with licensed pest control professionals to address pest concerns promptly. The company encouraged residents to report pest issues promptly, ensuring that tenancy would not be affected by reporting such concerns.
Eagleson stressed the necessity for more robust actions to safeguard her neighbors, herself, and her young daughter from the detrimental effects of the infestation.