Suspicious Granules Found in Newly Built Apartment in Incheon... Dispute Between Construction Company and Residents

'Trace of Hokpari Molting Suspected' Complaint Received
Concerns Raised Over Potential Increase in Damage by Next Spring

Controversy has erupted over claims that granules suspected to be traces of exuviae from fungus gnats were found in an officetel in Incheon nearing completion. The conflict between prospective residents and the construction company is expected to deepen.

According to Yonhap News Agency, on the 26th, dozens of complaints related to fungus gnats were filed with the district office regarding a newly built officetel in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. Most of the complaints were sent by prospective residents, who claimed that during a preliminary inspection at the end of last month, substances suspected to be traces of fungus gnat exuviae were discovered.

The complainants expressed concern about the fungus gnat issue occurring in multiple units and requested, "Please withhold temporary use approval until a thorough investigation and resolution are carried out."

Traces presumed to be from the molting of thrips observed under a microscope by the quarantine company. Photo by Yonhap News

The pest control company responsible for two units during the preliminary inspection reportedly found traces of exuviae suspected to be from fungus gnats and mold in wooden drawers under the kitchen sinks of each unit through microscopic observation.

If these traces are indeed from fungus gnat exuviae, related damage is expected to increase during the main hatching period in March to April next year. The pest control company stated, "Furniture replacement and pest control measures are necessary."

However, the construction company stated that based on their own pest control inspection results, there is no evidence to suggest the presence of fungus gnats in the officetel. On the 22nd, Bupyeong-gu held a mediation meeting with stakeholders including the construction company, supervisors, and the prospective residents' council.

The construction company and the prospective residents' council agreed to conduct a joint sample inspection of 10 units in the officetel and to commission detailed analyses from specialized institutions preferred by each party. Depending on the analysis results, they plan to further discuss detailed plans such as a full survey of the officetel and pest control measures.

Fungus gnats are a type of flying insect. They primarily inhabit China, India, and other regions, emerging in earnest after the weather warms in spring. They were reported to have appeared in large numbers in a newly built apartment in Songdo, Incheon, in 2008 and have occasionally been found domestically since then.

Domestically, fungus gnats mainly feed on fungi and mushrooms and reproduce in places where mold easily grows, such as wooden furniture inside apartments. They are known to inhabit these areas and exit to the outside through gaps between furniture.