What is the primary responsibility of the occupant in the case of pest infestations in a building?

The primary responsibility of the occupant in the case of pest infestations is to prevent further infestation. This involves taking timely action to mitigate the situation to ensure that pest problems do not escalate. Occupants play a critical role in maintaining healthy living environments, and one of their obligations is to take necessary precautions to limit factors that attract pests, such as proper sanitation, food storage, and waste management.

By preventing further infestations, occupants are not only protecting their own health and safety but also that of their neighbors and the overall integrity of the building. This proactive stance is vital in managing pest populations and reducing the need for more extensive pest control measures, which can be disruptive and costly.

While reporting the issue is important, the immediate responsibility falls on occupants to take practical steps to address and prevent the continuation of pest problems. Performing extermination is typically not the occupant's role, as this is usually handled by pest control professionals. Ignoring the infestation would lead to further issues and is contrary to the occupant's responsibilities for maintaining their living environment.