Pandemic Pests Invade Low-Income Housing
Low-income communities in the United States suffer high pest infestation rates and unhealthy environments resulting from pest infestations. For example, a recent survey conducted in four cities in New Jersey found that 37, 20 and 9 percent of low-income homes were infested with cockroaches, rodents and bed bugs, respectively (Abbar et al. 2022). These pests are not only a health concern to the building occupants, but they also pose a significant economic burden to building managers.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted pest control operations due to limited access and reduced services. As a result, pest treatments were often delayed, increasing pest population levels and dissemination to other apartments within a building.
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