Bug Infestation Out Of Control; Residents Want Action

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – Residents of the La Primavera apartments are complaining about an infestation of bed bugs and roaches at the complex.

"They are coming out the floor! They are coming out the walls," exclaimed Danny Rogers, who lives in apartment 414.

Resident Carolyn Polk's carpet is still soaking wet from recent floods. In addition to her soggy floor, Polk has new, undesirable roommates – roaches.

"I have to go to a motel," said Polk, who is one of many experiencing the effects of the infestation.

Another resident, Ronny Osorio who lives in 511 said bed bugs took over his apartment months ago.

"It's uncomfortable waking up every five minutes just to find something on my body and kill it," said Osorio.

Code enforcement has stepped in and council woman Kelly Allen Gray's aid spent Monday afternoon at the apartment complex documenting more complaints.

"Who wants to live with bed bugs? I don't have them but I'm going to have them if something is not done," said resident Brenda Howard.

The city was told that spraying for bed bugs begins Wednesday.

"It is a hazard in a sense that it's a nuisance -- something that we don't like to see," said Director of Code Compliance for city of Fort Worth, Brandon Bennett.

CBS 11 News tried to talk to the apartment supervisor Mark Nusbaum, but he didn't want to comment. "I'm not interested," said Nusbaum, pointing to the camera. "I'm telling you right now I appreciate you turning that thing off!"

Residents said they're receiving the cold shoulder from apartment staff, too. Many of them said the best solution is for the city to demolish the infested complex.

"We want to either fix it right or shut it down," said Howard.

But legally, city leaders said their hands are tied. Code enforcement told CBS 11 News the city has to give the owner and management time to fix the problem. But if it's not taken care of in a timely manner, the city will start citing the complex. Eventually the city may take them to court if they don't eradicate the critters.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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