JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey continue to treat her house in a way that I don\u2019t feel is appropriately combating the situation with her infestation that she has,\u201d Atkins said.<\/p>\n
Apartment staff have sprayed the unit multiple times, according to Atkins, but he said the infestation has persisted.<\/p>\n
The woman did not want to appear on camera. She is also recovering from heart surgery.<\/p>\n
After the family contacted the City of Jacksonville\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Apartment staff now plan to treat the woman\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want her out of the house for four to six hours while they treat the house, and she really doesn\u2019t have anywhere to go,\u201d Atkins said. \u201cI 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\u2019s 80 years old?\u201d<\/p>\n
Inside the apartment, dozens of roach droppings were visible inside a drawer. Roaches were also seen on a wall and near the woman\u2019s couch.<\/p>\n
Apartment staff were contacted about Atkins\u2019 concerns. A staff member said the complex would respond, but no response had been received by the time the story was published.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Atkins said.<\/p>\n
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