CHC working to eliminate cockroach infestation at apartment complex

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — A 220-unit apartment complex in Calgary’s northeast has been dealing with a major infestation of cockroaches for a year, resulting in many tenants to be cornered for their health.

Alberta Public Health released a statement, saying it had received multiple complaints about the issue at Bridgeland Place starting in February and March of 2019.

AHS instructed the operator of the building, Calgary Housing Company, to hire pest control to treat all affected areas and monitor for treatment success.

For the past year, the company has been struggling to fully eliminate the unwanted critters.

“I know at some point in the past there were more than 30 or 40 units affected, and I know it’s been moving around,” CHC’s Darren Nimegeers said.

“We’ll get it cleaned out of some units and then they will move as the treatment is applied.”

Nimegeers says they’ve been doing treatments weekly, which for the most part, has been successful.

“We’ve managed to get ahead of the problem in some areas, but it’s persistent, and you get ahead of it in some areas and it moves into others,” said Nimegeers.

He added to fully exterminate the problem it will take teamwork and coordination, something difficult to do in a large complex.

“We have had a couple of meetings where we invite all tenants to come out and talk with us about the issues, and how we were going to be approaching it, and how we need their help,” Nimegeers said.

He also pointed out that the building isn’t the only location experiencing this issue.

“In the last year in Calgary, it seems like there has been a bit of an increase in pest challenges. We have heard that from other landlords, we have experienced it ourselves and heard it in the media.”

The public health inspector is following up with the housing company, focusing on identifying any gaps in the treatment and pest prevention processes for the building.

It’s unclear when the building will be fully cleared of cockroaches.