Wasilla Fred Meyer addressing vermin infestation, officials report ‘major improvements’

WASILLA — Little rodents are stirring up a large amount of attention for the Wasilla Fred Meyer, prompting state health inspectors to monitor the grocery store’s progress as they work to eliminate the unwelcome occupants.

Representatives from Fred Meyer and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation both reported significant progress on the situation.

“We recognize it’s a community problem… but we are taking it very seriously,” Jeffery Temple. Director of Corporate Affairs at Fred Meyer, said. “We are seeing major improvements, so happy to report that.”

The public began filing complaints May 28, according to Lorinda Lhotka, inspection manager for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Health inspectors have been following up with the store since then.

The rodent dilemma circulated around social media sites. Numerous people shared videos and pictures of damaged goods and fecal droppings inside the store.

Last Friday, Valley resident Marita Clark posted a video on Facebook showing chewed cans, boxes and other indications of rodent activity at the store. The video went viral, garnering 898 Comments and 2,044 shares.

Lhotka said the DEC received about 11 online complaints in the wake of the social media posts, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 12.

“I think this is not a situation that Fred Meyer wants either,” Lhotka said.

On Thursday, a state health inspector visited the store to check on the store’s most recent progress. Lhotka said staff members are still working on the issue with an extermination company.

“I think it’s a difficult situation, considering it’s a grocery store and there’s a food source and you can imagine there’s a lot of places that they’re going to have to address,” Lhotka said.

Lhotka said that Fred Meyer staff has been very proactive with their efforts, particularly in the last week.

“They’re already seeing improvement and getting a handle on the situation,” Lhotka said.

Wasilla Fred Meyer is closed overnight. Temple said staff teams have been taking advantage of that time to canvass the store each night, pulling fixtures and products to find any rodent problems at their root causes. This includes setting traps, closing off entry points and uprooting nests.

“We’re partnering with the health department [DEC] to make sure that we’re doing everything that we possibly can in a safe manner. Our priority is to provide a safe and clean shopping experience for our customers and the health department is telling us we are doing the right things so that’s good,” Temple said.

Lhotka said that health inspectors investigated nearby facilities and found no significant issues. She said Fred Meyer has been properly handling the situation, which will take some time to alleviate.

“This is a pretty large scale issue for the size of that store and so it’s not going to be something that’s going to be resolved overnight or even within a few days. It’s going to take a while,” Lhotka said.

DEC has a complaint line available for the public. People can call or text their complaints and they can also send pictures and videos. Complaint can be anonymous per request.

Lhotka said with 13 staff for the entire state, hearing directly from the public is very helpful.

“We really encourage people to use that,” Lhotka said.

The complaint hotline number is 907-764-YUCK. People can also file complaints online at dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/forms/report-foodborne-illness/

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com