JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An 80-year-old Jacksonville woman says she does not know where to turn as she deals with a severe roach infestation inside the Westside apartment she has called home for more than 30 years.
The woman lives at Timuquana Park Apartments and has been in the Section 8 apartment since 1991. She said she had never experienced a problem like this until recently.
Her son, John Atkins, said roaches have taken over the apartment, getting into everything from the kitchen cabinets to the light fixtures. Pictures he provided show bugs throughout the home.
“They continue to treat her house in a way that I don’t feel is appropriately combating the situation with her infestation that she has,” Atkins said.
Apartment staff have sprayed the unit multiple times, according to Atkins, but he said the infestation has persisted.
The woman did not want to appear on camera. She is also recovering from heart surgery.
After the family contacted the City of Jacksonville’s Code Enforcement Division, a city inspector visited the apartment and documented what was described as a severe roach infestation. The complex was issued a warning citation.
Apartment staff now plan to treat the woman’s unit once a week. Atkins said the treatment would require his mother to leave the apartment for four to six hours each time, creating another problem for the family.
“They want her out of the house for four to six hours while they treat the house, and she really doesn’t have anywhere to go,” Atkins said. “I work. I drive a truck and I work. And I may not even be around, and it may not be my day off. And what am I supposed to do with my mom, who’s 80 years old?”
Inside the apartment, dozens of roach droppings were visible inside a drawer. Roaches were also seen on a wall and near the woman’s couch.
Apartment staff were contacted about Atkins’ concerns. A staff member said the complex would respond, but no response had been received by the time the story was published.
Atkins said he does not know what the family will do if the latest treatments fail. He also fears moving his mother would not necessarily solve the problem because the insects could travel with her belongings.
“The infestation will just follow you from house to house because these kind of bugs, they get into your furniture, they get into your appliances, and simply moving is not going to change this situation,” Atkins said.
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