9.3. Infestation

This deficiency should be recorded if there are potentially disease-carrying animals or insects. This category includes insects, rodents, and other pests observed inside, outside, or in dwelling units. Pests can include bees, wasps, termites, bedbugs, ants, spiders, cockroaches, fruit flies, flies, etc., and mammals such as rats, mice, nutria, possum, raccoons, armadillos, bats, birds, squirrels, gophers, etc. Additionally, reptile infestation can be cited if snakes or iguanas are found inside the building.

This deficiency should be cited even if management or ownership has preventive measures in place, such as extermination contracts. Additionally, the culpability of resident behavior, such as poor housekeeping or improper storage, should have no bearing on whether or not this deficiency is cited.

1. Cockroaches: Evidence of cockroaches is indicated by the presence of dead or live cockroaches, shed skins, droppings (tiny black specks or smears), and egg cases (brown, oblong cases: 5–9 mm long).
   1. The first observation of cockroach infestation should be evaluated under Deficiency #1. Each additional observation should be evaluated under Deficiency #2.
2. Bedbugs: Look near headboards, drapes, mattresses, couches, corners of walls, and near outlets for evidence of bedbugs (e.g., live or dead bedbugs, feces, eggs, or blood trails). Enter bedrooms in the Unit and use a flashlight to search edges at the sides of the bed and along the headboard, baseboard, and wall nearest the bed as well as the corners of the wall and the ceiling. Do not remove a resident’s bedding or personal items for this inspection.
   1. The first instance of this deficiency during an inspection should be cited under Deficiency #3, subsequent instances cited under Deficiency #4.
3. Mice: Look in the kitchen, trash area, behind and under refrigerators and stoves, and under the sink and baseboard heater for evidence of mice, such as droppings (the size of a grain of rice—small and smooth with pointed ends), chewed holes, urine trails, and smell. Record a deficiency if there is a sticky pad or trap with a mouse on it. Do not record a deficiency if there is a sticky pad or trap without a mouse.
   1. The first instance of this deficiency during an inspection should be cited under Deficiency #5, subsequent instances cited under Deficiency #6.
4. Rats: Look in all areas where trash and food are prevalent for rat burrows, rat droppings (shiny, black, and 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 of an inch long), or chewed holes in exterior door sweeps or at the edges of outer doors (rat teeth are typically 1/8 inch long). Record a deficiency if a sticky pad or trap has a rat on it. Do not record a deficiency if there is a sticky pad or trap without a rat.
5. Other Pests: Look for evidence of other pests intruding on an interior area. Look for ant trails near food storage areas. Look for wasp nests and beehives present in an interior area. Look for evidence that squirrels, birds, or bats have penetrated the building covering and are nesting inside a building.
   

Inspection Instructions

To properly inspect for infestation, the inspector should use a flashlight and inspection mirror and examine areas commonly infested by insects and rodents. This includes all elements of a kitchen (cabinets, appliances, sinks), tops of doors in units, circuit breakers, outlets and switches, bathrooms, and all mechanical rooms. In bedrooms, areas around beds, along the headboard, and wall areas around the bed should be inspected for bedbugs with a flashlight.

**PBV/HCV Correction Timeline is 30 Days for this Deficiency

Infestation Standard V3.0 Updated 6/16/23
Infestation Standard V3.0 Updated 8/11/23