Numerous complaints have been made about the number of small, wingless insects that have infiltrated studentsÔÇÖ flats, and seem difficult to remove.
First year Medical student Hannah Jesani, a current resident in Talybont South, said that ÔÇ£my flat had loads last term. House 18 definitely has a problem. It was bad in my flatmatesÔÇÖ rooms and in the kitchen behind the fridge. We had the flat fumigated twice and it is slightly better now, but I still see them quite a lot.ÔÇØ
This is clearly an ongoing problem, a fact which is corroborated by fellow Talybont South resident of House 15, first year Medical student, Lara Jesani, who added, ÔÇ£a few of my flatmates have seen them as well.ÔÇØ
She said her flatmate, Beth Glover, a first year English Language Student has ÔÇ£found them in random places in her room, for example in her shoes, and once even in her bed.ÔÇØ
She also explained, ÔÇ£There have been quite a few in the kitchen as well, underneath the sink cupboard and in the bottom cupboards. The lights are the worst, and sometimes they appear in the sink as well.ÔÇØ
It seems the University has been unable to solve this problem, as silverfish still occupy many of the flats even now. Current third year English Literature student, Laura Evans, remembers that she faced similar problems in her first year in Talybont South, and is concerned that nothing appears to have been done to rectify the problem in subsequent years.
She said, ÔÇ£I remember sitting in my bed one evening to find one making itself comfortable on my pillow. I was warned about the silverfish at Talybont even before coming to Cardiff by ex-Cardiff student. Clearly it has been an ongoing problem for years now.ÔÇØ
Previous issues of gair rhydd have exposed the same problems, indicating that this is certainly a problem that needs addressing. In Issue 913, published in 2010, News Editor at the time, Jamie Thunder, wrote, ÔÇ£Students in several flats in Block 23 have told gair rhydd that they have had cockroaches in their cupboards, bedrooms and even fridges. The insects were reported to the University in September and are still there, despite traps being laid and pest control visits.ÔÇØ
A University spokesperson has responded, saying, ÔÇ£At this time of year, and with the size and complexity of the UniversityÔÇÖs estate, it is not uncommon to have reports of problems with pests.
ÔÇ£We rely on residents to advise us of anything as soon as possible. Consequently, we have procedures in place to investigate and rectify any reports urgently. The University employs a specialist pest control contractor who deals with any problems as soon as possible. The contractor visits the location to investigate and commence the appropriate treatment immediately.
However, they admitted, ÔÇ£unfortunately, sometimes it can take several visits to rectify any problems completely. We endeavour to treat them as a matter of urgency and within reasonable time limits. We have had a small number of complaints of silverfish at Talybont, and have responded as described above.
ÔÇ£In residences that have had a previous problem with pests we also carry out proactive maintenance wherever possible, which sometimes includes treatments prior to the start of session or additional repairs.ÔÇØ
Fortunately, the problem appears to be less severe in Talybont North. Current first year Bon Leung, a student of Biomedical Science, who lives in Talybont North said that he has not really had any problems with silverfish. He has heard rumours about them in other houses such as House B, but in Talybont North, the problem seems to be less serious.
Yet the overall problem remains. Complaints have been made year after year and the solutions have clearly not been permanent.
The University spokesperson concluded, saying, ÔÇ£if individual students have any comments or concerns regarding the services provided, we would like to hear about them via our Customer Care policy.
Details of which can be found on the Residences web pages: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/resource/5191.33854.file.eng.pdf.ÔÇØ
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