Student housing provider urges prompt cockroach reports

Cockroaches are found regularly in apartments run by Félagsstofnun Stúdenta (FS), a student housing organisation, and the provider says residents should report every sighting promptly. The organisation has procedures to inspect affected and nearby apartments, mbl.is reports.

FS managing director Heiður Anna Helgadóttir said cockroaches can turn up in student housing, where residents move frequently. The organisation allocates an average of 90 to 110 apartments a week. Insects may also arrive in luggage with people moving from abroad or returning from trips, she said.

When FS receives a report, the resident must submit a maintenance request. A pest controller then inspects the situation, assesses the risk of spread between apartments and arranges checks of nearby homes. FS staff and the pest controller continue monitoring the problem.

Helgadóttir said cockroaches can move through ventilation ducts and pipe routes, making immediate reports important so inspections and pest treatment can begin. She said FS had generally managed to get cases under control. Sightings have occurred mainly in older buildings, though she said the buildings’ age was not necessarily decisive. Cleanliness also matters because cockroaches need food to survive.

The latest case Helgadóttir knew of was in August. mbl.is said it had information about more recent sightings that may not have been reported. In one case, FS emailed all residents in the building to gather information and map the problem. Helgadóttir said the situation had been brought under control, but was still being monitored. She said cases had so far been isolated and not necessarily linked to one another.