APOPKA, Fla. — Nearly two dozen Orange County schools are battling a cockroach infestation Thursday. The roach problem is so bad at Rock Springs Elementary in Apopka that students were forced to eat outside under a tent.
Parents told WFTV they are outraged over how the district is handling the situation.
"I've complained about that cafeteria for years and nothing has been done," said parent Ivette Wilson.
A total of 22 schools are battling the infestation.
"I think it's horrible. Something needs to be done," Wilson said.
On Tuesday, a late night inspection at the school found an infestation of German cockroaches in the school cafeteria. By Wednesday, students were eating prepackaged sandwiches outside.
They won't return indoors until next Monday, officials said, to ensure the cockroaches are cleared out.
"We're concerned that this German cockroach presence has had a fast and rapid development, and we are responding as fast as we have found it," said chief operations officer Michael Eugene.
The district sprays schools every month or so for bugs, but says the German cockroach is a tough bug to beat.
Parents, however, say they don't believe that. They don't believe the 22 schools picked up a roach infestation overnight.
"How did the roaches get that out of control? Didn't they know something sooner? It's gross. It's unacceptable," Wilson said.
The school district said they did these inspections at night and since roaches come out at night, that's why they've suddenly found so many schools infested.
The school principal, Dr. Nancy Pender, called parents to let them know about the situation (listen).
"I am calling to let you know that OCPS maintenance inspectors were at our school yesterday and found evidence of bugs in our cafeteria and kitchen. We wanted to take care of the problem right away, so we changed our food service routine today," Dr. Pender told parents.
In 12 of the 22 schools, students are now eating someplace other than the cafeteria. The remainder of the schools did not have their food service affected by the bugs.
WFTV
