F0925 F925: Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
F

Pest Control Program Not Maintained

Humboldt House Rehabilitation And Nursing CenterBuffalo, New York Survey Completed on 10-10-2025

Summary

The facility did not maintain an effective pest control program for the first, second, third, and fourth resident-use floors. Survey observations and interviews documented evidence of rodents, including rodent droppings in multiple resident rooms and in a dietary storage area, as well as dead mice found inside a resident room. The facility’s pest control policy stated it maintained an ongoing program to keep the building free of insects and rodents and used an outside contracted pest control vendor. On the first floor, rodent droppings were observed behind the door of the Dietary Storage Room. The Dietary Director stated they had moved chemicals, crates, and cardboard in that area and that older droppings may have been disturbed, and also stated the area behind the door needed to be swept again. On the fourth floor, rodent droppings were observed in a resident room near damaged cove base and floor tile, and the Regional Maintenance Director stated the debris could be rodent droppings and shavings from the damaged corner and that the floor tile needed repair. On the third floor, rodent droppings were observed in a resident room at the foot of a bed, under a nightstand, in a drawer, in the closet, and under another bed. In that room, a metal rodent trap box contained bread, a paper towel, and four dead mice on glue paper. The resident stated they had seen mice running around the room and had placed bread in the box to catch them. The Regional Maintenance Director stated they were unaware of the dead rodents or the resident’s actions and said a different approach to rodent control would be needed in that room. Additional rodent evidence was found on the third and second floors, including droppings behind furniture and in drawers, and a resident reported seeing a mouse run from the closet to under the bed two days earlier. A licensed exterminator’s report noted mice had chewed through rubber baseboard near a radiator and recommended sealing the hole, but a later observation found a small hole in that same area and the Regional Maintenance Director stated they were not aware of it or the recommendation. Fly activity was also observed in multiple areas, including nourishment areas, the dishwash room, and several resident rooms. Insect light traps had glue boards with at least 200 dead insects, and multiple exterminator reports instructed that glue boards be replaced and conditions conducive to small fly reproduction be reported, yet the device inspection summaries on those reports indicated zero of three insect light traps were inspected. Residents and staff reported flies bothering residents in their rooms, including one resident with foot wounds who stated flies gravitated toward them, and another resident who said flies bothered them while eating in their room.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $198,242
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0925 citations
Roach Infestation and Poor Dining Room Sanitation
F
F0925 F925: Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Short Summary

Roach Infestation and Dining Room Sanitation Issues A resident reported seeing cockroaches in the dining room for about a year, and staff later observed roaches crawling in the dining room and near food stored in cabinets. Food debris, open cereal, and covered plates with meal remnants were found in the dining room, along with buildup, missing caulking, warped surfaces, and other areas where pests could be present. Staff also reported seeing roaches in the kitchen and dining room, while the facility had recently changed pest control vendors and had limited documented pest control follow-up.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Pest Control Program Not Effective
E
F0925 F925: Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Short Summary

Pest control was not effective in key areas of the facility, including a hallway, a resident room, and the kitchen. Staff and leadership observed flies in the kitchen, on a snack box, and around a resident during wound care, and the Dietary Manager said the back door did not seal properly. The Maintenance Director, RN, DON, and Interim Administrator all acknowledged ongoing fly sightings and pest control concerns, and vendor reports noted the need to repair or replace the kitchen rear exit door and replace fly light bulbs and starters.

Inspection fine: $19,635
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Pest Control Program Ineffective With Ongoing Roach Presence
D
F0925 F925: Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Short Summary

An ineffective pest control program allowed roaches to remain present in a staff bathroom and a resident’s room. Residents and staff reported the problem was ongoing, with roaches seen in rooms and bathrooms, often at night, despite weekly pest control treatments for German roaches and general pests. The DON, maintenance director, and Administrator all acknowledged the persistent roach issue in the facility.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Ineffective Pest Control Allowed Gnats in Resident and Common Areas
D
F0925 F925: Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Short Summary

Ineffective pest control allowed gnats to be seen in a resident’s room and throughout common areas, including the dining area, nurses station, and conference room. The resident complained about gnats in the room, and the Administrator, DON, and Corporate Nurse stated the issue may have been related to recent roof repairs.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Pest Control Deficiency in Kitchen
F
F0925 F925: Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Short Summary

Pest Control Deficiency in Kitchen: Several fruit flies were observed throughout the kitchen, including inside and around open containers of powder thickener and flour. The NHA confirmed the findings during interview.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Ineffective pest control with insects observed in resident rooms and kitchen
E
F0925 F925: Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Short Summary

Surveyors found an ineffective pest control program with flies, gnats, and other insects observed in resident rooms, hallways, and the kitchen. Residents reported flies in their rooms and on food, and one resident said insects repeatedly landed on him while he was in bed. In the kitchen, staff and surveyors noted gnats near food prep areas, leftover food, an uncovered garbage bin, and dirty, wet conditions under the dishwasher and around a drain, despite the facility’s policy for an effective pest control program.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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