Failure to Ensure Effective Pest Control for Flying Ants
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure effective pest control for flying ants in the room of one resident who repeatedly reported and demonstrated the presence of flying ants and ant bites. The resident stated that he experienced a daily problem with flying ants, killing 30 to 40 each day, and reported being bitten multiple times, with visible red marks on his back. Observations confirmed the presence of dead and live flying ants on the resident's nightstand, bed, and window screen over several days. The resident also reported that the problem had persisted for several weeks, and maintenance staff believed the ants were entering from behind the heater below the window. Documentation and interviews revealed that the facility was aware of the issue as early as 4/11/25, when a work order was created in the maintenance system. Staff responded by deep cleaning the room, placing ant bait, and spraying ant killer outside the affected area. Despite these actions, the flying ant problem continued, as evidenced by ongoing resident complaints and direct observations of ants in the room. The pest control company had provided regular monthly services and an extra visit in March, but there was no documentation of additional targeted pest control interventions after the problem was reported in April. The facility's pest control policy required prompt reporting and additional pest control visits when a problem was detected. However, records showed that after the initial reports and interventions, the flying ant infestation persisted in the resident's room, with no evidence of further pest control company involvement or effective resolution. The ongoing presence of flying ants and the resident's continued exposure to bites indicated a failure to maintain an environment free of pests as required by facility policy.