Local

'They are running rampant’: Complaints of cockroaches at Gaston County high school

By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com
By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Students at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia said roaches are in lockers and running across tables.

The Health Department said there is a problem and it is taking the reports seriously.

School officials said Wednesday there were just a few baby roaches found the day before during a health inspection. Ashbrook is treated for pests once a month by a company, and the last treatment was last week, school officials said.

Mother Lisa Rhoden said a student had a roach crawling on him Tuesday during class at Ashbrook High, which is a report that school officials said they had not heard before.

"That is a very bad situation," Rhoden said.

She said her daughter has seen roaches in several areas around campus and found them in her backpack.

[ALSO READ: Inspections indicate lack of sanitary standards at schools]

Rhoden contacted Channel 9 about her concerns.

"What's the problem with the roaches? They are running rampant, crawling all over the place. They are in my daughter's locker," the mother said.

The last time the school had a full inspection was in March of 2018 when inspectors said they “observed roaches in the janitor's closet in the gym entrance, men's locker room, the varsity locker room, the J.V. locker room and in the men's restroom.”

Health inspectors checked the cafeteria four times in 2019 and found the school in compliance for insects and pests.

The Health Department conducted a full inspection Tuesday after Channel 9 contacted officials.

Inspectors said: “Dead roaches were observed in the cafeteria and foods, class, kitchen. Some live roaches were seen in locker rooms and the custodial closet by the gym.”

Roaches weren't found in other lockers or classrooms.

Health officials said the risk is very small, but it is still a cause for concern.

"If we let the problem continue for cockroaches, their eggs and their feces, they usually can shed a bacteria that can cause an asthmatic reaction," said Christina Rodite, environmental health supervisor.

It could be harmful to someone with respiratory issues, so inspectors left the school instructions making all staff, not just exterminators, accountable for anything that could attract insects.

Health officials said they will have another unannounced visit to check for compliance.

"Everybody has to control the food, water and shelter for the cockroaches," Rodite said.

Rhoden said her daughter has respiratory issues, but she hasn't experienced any serious problems.

Health inspectors said the roaches are likely getting in through water drains.

Health officials are required to do a full school inspection once every academic year.

The cafeteria inspections were not part of the full inspections.

Inspections indicate lack of sanitary standards at schools Inspections indicate lack of sanitary standards at schools

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:


© 2020 Cox Media Group

Most Read