West Campus apartment residents report ongoing bug infestation

Residents of the Noble 2500 apartment complex in Austin said gnats are invading their rooms, kitchens, hallways and lobby.

AUSTIN, Texas — Residents at a West Campus apartment complex said an ongoing gnat infestation has made daily life difficult, with the tiny flies appearing in kitchens, bedrooms, hallways and the lobby.

Sam Hecht and Brady Howell, students at the University of Texas at Austin, live at Noble 2500 on San Gabriel Street. They said they have been dealing with gnats throughout the complex.

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“We like to keep our place clean, obviously, and it’s been really hard with the gnat infestation throughout the building,” Hecht said.

Hecht said the insects have become a daily nuisance, including when he’s trying to get ready for class.

“There’s nothing like waking up to go to a 9 a.m. class and being swarmed with gnats,” Hecht said. “It’s a surreal feeling.”

Hecht shared video that showed multiple gnats in a hallway at the complex earlier this week.

“It gets unsanitary, and it’s gross and, frankly, when you have friends over, it’s rather embarrassing as well,” Howell said.

Residents report problem to city

Hecht said he eventually reported the issue through the city of Austin Development Services Department’s Code Compliance team.

He hoped the city would see the conditions around the complex, including what he described as a “mountain of trash” outside.

According to Code Compliance, inspectors visited Noble 2500 twice before the city mailed a notice of violation Wednesday to Student Quarters, a property owner based in Atlanta, Georgia.

That same day, residents and front desk employees received an email saying Noble 2500 was now under new management by The Scion Group, a Chicago-based company.

Code Compliance said inspectors returned to the complex Friday and found that trash had been removed from outdoor dumpsters and interior trash chute rooms on every floor.

However, Hecht said video he recorded Friday evening appeared to show a trash chute on his floor still stuffed with garbage.

Pest control visit scheduled

According to Code Compliance, property management has scheduled a pest control visit for Tuesday.

Howell said he is encouraged that action is being taken after hearing another resident complain about the gnats.

“So I’m glad that steps are being taken to fix this problem,” Howell said.

For Hecht, the issue is about more than his own apartment.

“They’re gonna have to make it right with, not just me, but the fellow residents of my apartment,” Hecht said.

Residents said they hope the new management company and the city can address the trash and pest issues and put an end to the gnat problem.