Illustration by Drew Buckmaster
Article by Madeline Fredette
NEWBERG, Ore. – As George Fox University (GFU) Students returned for the Fall semester, some found various insects already settled into their dorms, apartments and houses. Colder weather, damaged sealing and recent construction are possible factors contributing to a perceived increase in pests.
Over summer break, some of the student housing, including Weesner Village, Weesner House, Hoskins House, Woolman Apartments and Villa House, underwent major renovations according to Tayler Gerhardt, an area coordinator (AC) for student housing.
“Major construction often displaces insects from their natural habitats, pushing them into nearby neighborhoods and buildings,” said Gerhardt.
Sierra Eileen, a GFU student residing in Hancock house, recently reported both a rats nest and yellow jacket infestation to Plant Services. Eileen reported around 15 yellow jackets swarmed against the building’s exterior wall, with another five in the bathroom.
Plant Services has since removed the rats’ nest and located the yellow jacket hive as being in the attic. Gabriel Vargas, a resident this previous summer at Hancock house, recalls no issue with insects during his time there.
At this time, Plant Services is unable to provide a response due to a new policy regarding student interviews.
However, Director of Resident Life, Nathan Geer, can provide context to some of the arising pest issues: “Spiders are common guests in houses this time of year. How they find their way indoors is probably as varied as the types of houses that exist.”
Another campus residence, the Wilder House, has experienced an increase in moths and spiders with the cooling weather. The house’s basement is open to the crawlspace underneath, with spiderwebs strung across the wooden support beams.
According to GFU’s website, the Wilder house has been an option for student housing since 1999. “It’s an old house that in later months can have issues because of the fact that it’s old,” said August Santin, current resident of Wilder house.
“It'll let things in because it’s starting to come apart at the seams a little bit.” Santin suggests better window sealing and caulking as a way to prevent more insects coming inside.
“Wilder is our most isolated house on campus and is surrounded by wildlife,” said Gerhardt. “Unlike dorms, which are used for summer housing, our houses and apartments sit mostly empty for three months…when a space isn't actively inhabited by people, insects are naturally more likely to venture inside.”
A student living on Newlin floor three has dealt with termites crawling in through her window as the window screen is partially stuck open. The student has placed a service order to fix the window around the start of school, but no maintenance has yet taken place.
From the perspective of AC Gerhardt, the pests are not always present to this degree. “I’ve noticed a slight increase in insects inside housing this year, though I wouldn't consider it a recurring issue,” said Gerhardt.
Despite the construction contributing to the increasing amount of insects inside student housing, overall the issues can be resolved by efforts from Plant Services and summer cleaning. Some students, in the meantime, may need to find company with their new “roommates.”
