Does the VA just need another issue? Pest invasion: 2 VA hospitals find bats, rats and more

2015-07-10T08:59:06-04:00

Jim Gleisberg, spokesperson for the facility, said the hospital is dealing with the ongoing problem by using devices "where the bats can leave but cannot re-enter." Officials at the hospital are conducting air quality tests to make sure the facility conditions are safe after exterminators removed all of the bats, Gleisberg told 41 KSHB.

But that's hardly the only VA health care facility with a pest problem.

The James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida, had "dead rats falling from the kitchen ceiling" last month in addition to cockroaches found on patients' trays. Two months earlier, facilities management services "filled multiple buckets with roaches, dead rats and feces," the Tampa Bay Times reported.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2015/07/09/rodent-invasion-two-va-hospitals-find-bats-rats-and-more/29907479/

Pest invasion: 2 VA hospitals find bats, rats and more

For the VA, the warm months of summer mean one thing: Time to call the exterminator. Bats, rats and other pests are turning Veteran Affairs facilities into their summer homes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 9:01 AM

2015-07-10T09:01:45-04:00

Not surprising. Remember the horrific conditions of Walter Reed in D.C.?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 10 at 2015 9:09 AM

2015-07-10T09:09:43-04:00

Absolutely not, but its just another in a long string of issues caused by budget constraints and media exposure. I'm sure there are a lot of old buildings with rodent problems that you don't hear about because they are not VA related and there is money to combat the problem.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 11 at 2015 3:36 PM

2015-07-11T15:36:44-04:00

They will spend $100,000 to get rid of a rat.