On the morning of the 18th at Seoullo 7017 in Jung-gu, Seoul, a pest control worker sprays cockroach insecticide into the gaps of benches under large planters. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

At 7 a.m. on the 18th at Seoullo 7017 in Jung-gu, Seoul. Ten employees from a professional pest control company busily moved around large planters and benches. Insecticide was sprayed into the gaps in the benches and cracks in the concrete, and bait-type agents were placed around the planters. The idea is for cockroaches to eat the bait, return to their habitat, and share it with other individuals.

As controversy grew after a swarm of cockroaches was recently found at Seoullo 7017, the Seoul city government launched an emergency pest control operation. This is the first time Seoullo 7017 has conducted separate control targeting cockroaches, not mites or mosquitoes.

On the morning of the 18th at Seoullo 7017, a pest control worker installs cockroach bait stations in each planter along the elevated walkway. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

◇ Cockroach habitats identified during on-site inspection

The pest control work that day focused on 642 large planters installed at Seoullo 7017, benches, and gaps around walkways for about two hours. A prior inspection by the Seoul city government and the pest control company found cockroach habitats in the soil inside the large "TreeFit" planters, as well as between benches and concrete gaps.

The species found at Seoullo 7017 was identified as the Japanese cockroach. Japanese cockroaches prefer humid environments and can be found around urban green spaces or flower beds. Although Seoullo 7017 is an artificial pedestrian park built on an overpass, the abundance of large planters and the soil and structural gaps in the planters have created an environment where cockroaches can easily hide and live, according to the analysis.

A pest control company official said, "As temperatures rise, the number of Japanese cockroaches is increasing," and "They are appearing frequently not only at Seoullo 7017 but also in urban green spaces and apartment complexes in the capital region."

The operation took into account that the area is a space frequented by residents and tourists. Insecticides with low risk to human health were used on facilities such as benches that people may touch. The bait-type agents were also placed in separate containers to prevent direct contact by pets and others.

A pest control company employee explained, "Because cockroaches carry the bait-type agent back to the habitat and share it with other individuals, the control effect is significant," adding, "It usually takes about three days for the effect to appear."

On the night of the 14th, cockroaches move on the flowerbeds and in the gaps next to pedestrians passing along the Seoullo 7017 overpass. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

◇ It is a "nighttime tourist attraction," but plagued by cockroaches

Seoullo 7017 opened in 2017 during the tenure of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. It is an urban regeneration project that transformed the Seoul Station overpass into an elevated pedestrian park at a cost of 60 billion won. It has also been cited as a nighttime tourist attraction because it offers views over the Seoul Station area and Sungnyemun. Annual visitors exceed 6 million.

However, controversy arose as a video shot at Seoullo 7017 by a foreigner recently spread through online communities and social media. The video, titled "What you can see when you walk around Seoul at night," showed dozens of cockroaches moving around the flower beds and benches at Seoullo 7017. (☞ "Symbol of urban regeneration"? Seoullo 7017, "plagued" by cockroaches every night)

After it became known that a large number of cockroaches appeared in a downtown pedestrian park frequented by residents and foreign tourists, criticism arose over hygiene management. This prompted the Seoul city government to conduct an emergency inspection followed by a large-scale pest control operation.

On the morning of the 18th at Seoullo 7017, a pest control worker sprinkles cockroach bait insecticide into the soil of planters presumed to be habitats. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

◇ "Once is not enough"… monthly control through Oct.

However, the Seoul city government does not believe that a single operation will completely eliminate the cockroaches. Because habitats have already formed in the gaps of planters and structures, ongoing management is needed.

A pest control company official explained, "You need to continue the operation several times for it to be effective," adding, "It is important to reduce the population as much as possible before they overwinter."

The Seoul city government plans to conduct additional operations next week. It also decided to carry out one regular operation every month through Oct. Jung-gu Public Health Center will separately conduct an additional operation once a month.

A Seoul city government official said, "After recognizing the cockroach habitat issue, we promptly began control efforts," adding, "We will continue to inspect and minimize inconvenience to residents through regular operations."

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