Columbia Apartment Residents Claim Infestation Problem

COLUMBIA, MD — Tenants of the Paragon at Columbia Overlook say their units are infested with mice. While management has responded by setting out traps and calling an exterminator, the problem is overwhelming.

Resident Thomas Yoon told Fox 5 DC that he would catch one or two mice every day all throughout his apartment.

"Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, closet, laundry mat," he said.

John Kim laid out traps in his third-floor unit and said he has trapped at least 30 mice in the past three months.

Ashley Gould said management responded the following morning after she reported the mouse problem and set out traps. In just two hours' time, there were four mice per trap caught throughout her home. In just a few weeks, upwards of 100 mice have been captured in her apartment. She has since moved out, as has Yoon.

Paragon officials told Fox 5 DC in a statement that the professional extermination company they hired has "inspected and treated every apartment."

"We are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure it is fully resolved. In addition, we have removed the dumpsters that were attracting the pests, closed off all trash chutes and have switched to a valet trash service," the statement said.

Residents who spoke with FOX 5 said they believe Paragon knowingly rented out infested units. Kim and Yoon say they complained two months before Paragon every took action. Management denied that claim.

“We had no work orders or complaints about any type of infestation from any prior residents. Once we were aware, we took immediate action," Paragon officials stated.