Residents across Las Vegas and Henderson have been beset by an onslaught of cockroaches. They have invaded homes to such an extent that, as the cockroaches settle in, people are moving out.
News 3 Las Vegas has received complaints since Sunday from residents whose homes are more than a mile apart. Earlier reports from the outlet described affected neighborhoods on the east side of the Las Vegas Valley and into Henderson.
The situation has had an impact on local exterminators too. Frankie Farina, lead inspector for Fortified Pest Management, told News 3 Las Vegas that the company has experienced about a 30% increase in calls over the past week.
The cause of the surge is still uncertain. News 3 Las Vegas reports that some residents suspect construction near the Clark County Wetlands is disturbing the insects, while a county spokesperson said the increase is being seen across the region and is more likely tied to recent wet conditions than construction at any one site.
Residents Say The Roaches Are A Major Disruption To Daily Life
Las Vegas resident Kae told News 3 that the problem has become severe enough that she has started showering at the gym rather than using her bathroom at home. But her measures continue beyond outsourcing a shower.
“I set up a tent so that I can sleep like in my room and not feel like they’re all over my room,” she admitted. “Um. It’s it’s been hard and I set up a lot of sticky traps all over my apartment. I have 37 of them.”
Kae lives at Tesoro Apartments near Boulder Highway and East Russell Road. She said the complex had hired pest control, but heavy demand from residents meant treatment didn’t reach her quickly enough.
Other residents have gone even farther. In an earlier News 3 report, Henderson resident Alex Ghanem said his family was staying elsewhere after roaches began entering their home despite pest-control treatment.
Wet Conditions May Be Fueling The Surge
Residents have pointed to construction near the Clark County Wetlands as a possible source of the problem, writes News 3. Farina said moisture around wetlands can attract pests and that construction can sometimes disturb insects and push them elsewhere.
Clark County, however, has not identified that construction was the cause. The county said it is also looking at possible insect-remediation measures around the Wetlands.
Keeping roaches outside far from the sanctity of a shower or bedroom can involve several steps beyond spraying after they appear. Farina recommended sealing all major entry points, installing door sweeps and weather stripping, and keeping up with regular pest-control maintenance.
The Environmental Protection Agency similarly recommends sealing cracks and openings, cleaning up crumbs and spills, storing food in airtight containers, and removing sources of food and water. Cockroach droppings and body parts can also trigger allergic reactions or asthma symptoms in some people.