CHICO, CA - Federal inspectors documented an active cockroach infestation in the kitchen food preparation areas at Chico Terrace Care Center, creating potential disease transmission risks for all 72 residents.
Cockroach Evidence Found in Food Preparation Areas
During a March 2025 inspection, surveyors discovered multiple cockroach pheromone traps and evidence of pest activity directly under a sink used for food preparation. Inspectors found cockroach droppings scattered throughout the cabinet surfaces and observed what appeared to be a dried cockroach specimen approximately three-quarters of a centimeter in length.
The contamination was extensive, with black splatter-like substances resembling cockroach droppings scattered throughout the bottom, back, sides and corner surfaces inside the cabinet under the food prep sink. These surfaces had not been cleaned despite the obvious contamination.
Two roach pheromone pesticide boxes were placed under the corner sink, with one dated from January 2024 - indicating the pest problem had persisted for over a year. The maintenance technician later admitted he "just forgot about" the traps after placing them.
Inadequate Pest Control Monitoring System
The facility's pest control program lacked proper documentation and oversight. The maintenance technician stated he communicated with pest control vendors only through text messages on his personal phone, with no formal tracking system for pest issues, locations, or treatments provided.
When asked about pest control records, the maintenance technician responded that he had no records that provided information about the facility's pest problems, the locations where past problems occurred, or what was done by the pest control company to eradicate the pests.
The accounts payable staff confirmed they never received anything from the pest control vendor except invoices, with no reports about services provided or effectiveness of treatments.
Eight Months of Documented Roach Treatments
Pest control vendor records revealed the facility had been combating cockroaches since August 2024, with treatments occurring:
- August 16, 2024: Treated outside perimeter for roaches - September 4, 2024: Treated outside perimeter for roaches - October 2, 2024: Treated outside perimeter for roaches - November 19, 2024: Treated outside perimeter for roaches
Despite months of exterior treatments, cockroaches had infiltrated the kitchen's food preparation areas, indicating the pest control approach was insufficient for addressing the infestation.
Kitchen Sanitation Deficiencies
Beyond the pest infestation, inspectors identified multiple sanitation problems throughout the kitchen that created conditions conducive to pest harborage. Wooden utensil drawers showed grime and gouges, making them difficult to clean properly and hard to open and close.
The Formica surface in the food preparation area was worn thin and broken near the trash receptacle, creating uncleanable surfaces. The refrigerator/freezer room floor was damaged, with the Regional Registered Dietitian confirming it was "not a cleanable surface."
Medical and Health Implications
Cockroach infestations in food service areas pose serious health risks to nursing home residents, who often have compromised immune systems. Cockroaches are known vectors for various pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and other bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses.
Cockroach allergens can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions, particularly concerning for elderly residents with respiratory conditions. The insects contaminate food surfaces through their droppings, shed skin, and saliva, potentially leading to gastrointestinal infections.
The presence of cockroaches in food preparation areas violates fundamental food safety principles. According to FDA Food Code standards, premises must be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests through routine inspections, elimination of harborage conditions, and proper pest control methods.
Communication Failures
The maintenance technician failed to notify key food service personnel about the pest evidence or control measures implemented. He stated he did not notify the food service manager, the facility registered dietitian or anyone else about the pest evidence in the kitchen or the traps put in place.
This communication breakdown prevented proper coordination between maintenance and dietary staff to address the contamination and implement comprehensive remediation measures.
The dietary manager initially claimed the kitchen had no pest problems, indicating either lack of awareness or inadequate inspection procedures by food service staff.
Staffing and Resource Constraints
The sole maintenance technician expressed frustration with his workload, stating "I'm one person. I'm doing the best that I can." He indicated having no additional maintenance staff to help and struggling to balance facility maintenance needs within budget constraints.
This staffing limitation may have contributed to inadequate monitoring of pest control measures and delayed responses to sanitation issues throughout the facility.
Required Corrections
The facility must implement an effective pest control program with proper documentation and tracking systems. This includes establishing formal communication protocols between maintenance, dietary, and administrative staff regarding pest issues.
All contaminated surfaces in the kitchen require thorough cleaning and sanitization. Uncleanable surfaces, including damaged floors and worn Formica countertops, must be repaired or replaced to prevent future harborage conditions.
The facility needs to establish routine inspection procedures for food service areas, with designated staff responsible for identifying and reporting pest activity or sanitation concerns.
Staff training on pest identification, reporting procedures, and proper sanitation practices should be implemented to prevent future violations and ensure early detection of problems.
The inspection findings highlight the critical importance of maintaining sanitary food preparation environments in nursing homes, where vulnerable residents depend on safe meal service for their health and wellbeing.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Chico Terrace Care Center from 2025-03-06 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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