Federal inspectors observed the lizard at 3:45 p.m. on October 10 as it scurried across shelving above the dishwashing machine and three-compartment sink area where staff clean dishes and utensils for residents.
Kitchen staff told inspectors they had seen lizards in the facility before.
The Maintenance Director revealed during questioning that Grace Care Center had no pest control contract with any vendor. He said he had not seen any pest control company visit the facility during the four months he had worked there. When pressed, he produced a business card for a local pest control company, saying he thought it was the vendor the facility had used previously.
The owner of that pest control company confirmed the facility's predicament. Services had stopped on February 2, 2025, due to failure to pay bills. The company had no ongoing contact with Grace Care Center.
That timeline means the nursing home operated without professional pest control services for more than eight months before the inspection.
Multiple staff members acknowledged the pest problem. A dietary manager interviewed three days after the lizard sighting said she had seen lizards in the kitchen but did not know where they came from. She said she had reported finding pests in the kitchen but could not recall to whom she had made the report.
The Administrator admitted during an October 15 interview that she knew the facility had lost its pest control vendor due to failure to pay bills. However, she claimed she was not aware of any pest problems involving lizards in the dietary department.
The facility's own policy, dated 2012 and titled "Insect and Rodent Control," requires maintaining "an effective pest control program in order to provide an insect and vermin free food service department." The policy also mandates proper screens, close-fitting doors, sealed water and sewer pipes, and structurally maintained walls and baseboards "to prevent entrance access of insects and rodents."
Federal inspectors found the facility failed to implement these basic protections.
The kitchen where the lizard was observed serves as the central food preparation area for all residents. Lizards and other pests can carry bacteria and parasites that contaminate food surfaces, utensils, and prepared meals. The three-compartment sink area where the lizard was running is specifically used for washing dishes and cooking equipment.
Kitchen staff reported they had not observed other pests like roaches or bugs, but the presence of lizards indicates broader problems with facility maintenance and pest prevention. Lizards typically enter buildings through gaps in doors, windows, or structural openings that also provide access for insects and rodents.
The eight-month gap in professional pest control services left residents vulnerable to foodborne illness and disease transmission. Professional pest control companies not only eliminate existing infestations but also identify and seal entry points that prevent future problems.
Grace Care Center's failure to maintain pest control services appears to stem from financial difficulties rather than oversight. The facility lost services in February due to unpaid bills and had made no arrangements for alternative pest control by October.
The Maintenance Director's unfamiliarity with any pest control visits during his four-month tenure suggests the facility made no effort to address the lapsed contract or arrange temporary services. His possession of the former vendor's business card indicates awareness of the previous relationship but no action to restore services.
The dietary manager's inability to recall reporting the pest sightings to specific supervisors points to communication breakdowns within the facility's management structure. Pest control problems in food service areas require immediate attention and clear reporting chains to protect resident safety.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain sanitary conditions and prevent contamination in food service areas. The presence of live animals in kitchen spaces violates basic food safety standards and puts elderly residents at particular risk.
Grace Care Center's Administrator acknowledged knowing about the lapsed pest control contract but claimed ignorance about actual pest problems in the kitchen. This disconnect between administrative awareness and operational reality left staff to cope with lizards and potentially other pests without professional support.
The facility's 2012 pest control policy remains on paper, but the October inspection revealed a kitchen where lizards run freely across food preparation surfaces while administrators claim ignorance and bills go unpaid.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Grace Care Center of Nocona from 2025-11-26 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.