Cockroach Infestation Spreads Throughout Elyria (OH) Neighborhood

ELYRIA, Ohio — A neighborhood on Elyria's south side is dealing with a massive cockroach infestation originating from an abandoned home, Cleveland.com reported.

The tenants at a home in the 400 block of 14th Street in Elyria signed a lease with Brunner Real Estate last year, but stopped paying rent a few months ago, landlord Jim Brunner told Cleveland.com.

The tenants moved out earlier this month after Brunner served them with an eviction notice, but left behind about $10,000 in damage in their wake. When Brunner's company came to clean on Aug. 4, they found roaches in the home. 

Cockroaches invaded several neighboring homes. Neighbors noticed them inside and outside their homes, in their sheds, under their trashcans and crawling around in the sewer. The sewer roaches prompted the city to place an orange barrel over the grate.

Cleveland.com added that Lorain County Public Health officials received a complaint about the property, but could not comment because the investigation is ongoing, health commissioner David Covell said in a statement.

Source: Cleveland.com