DELAWARE — On April 29, Delaware Source broke the news that Desi Tadka had been ordered closed by the health department in part due to cockroach concerns.
Ever since, people have crawled out of the woodwork to claim that downtown Delaware may have a larger pest problem.
A post from Delaware Source in the “What’s Up in Delaware, OH” Facebook group received over 170 comments.
“Downtown Delaware does have a bigger roach problem,” one commenter claimed. “If you walk the streets after sunset, you will see hundreds of roaches. Surprising it has affected only one restaurant.”
Does one high-profile restaurant closure mean the whole historic district has a problem?
Delaware Source reviewed recent health inspection reports for downtown restaurants and contacted pest control professionals, public health officials, environmental groups and entomology experts to try and find an answer.
What do health department officials say?
The Delaware Public Health District (DPHD) said it cannot entirely rule out cockroach activity downtown.
However, officials cautioned against assuming isolated sightings or inspection violations automatically indicate widespread infestations or unsanitary conditions.
“The health district’s Food Protection Unit has been aware of cockroach activity for some time — this is not a new development,” DPHD Public Information Officer Traci Whittaker said.
But “cockroach activity” does not directly translate to an infestation or severe uncleanliness in a facility.
“Cockroaches can be found in any community, especially in areas with older buildings or a lot of food service activity,” Whittaker said. “Seeing them doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a larger or unusual problem — it really comes down to how a facility handles it.”
The Food Protection Unit checks for pest control during routine inspections.
“Food service operations are required to have plans in place to prevent and address pests, often including working with a pest control company,” she said. “If our inspectors find an issue, it’s documented and the facility must take steps to fix it.”
What recent inspection reports show
The Delaware Public Health District is responsible for inspecting restaurants, campgrounds and pools to ensure health and safety standards are met.
Facility inspections are conducted one to four times per year, depending on the complexity of a facility’s menu and their potential risk of a foodborne illness, according to DPHD’s food inspection report website.
In some situations, including repeated critical violations, inspectors may conduct more frequent follow-up visits.
Delaware Source looked at the latest inspection reports available for restaurants in downtown Delaware, looking specifically for references to cockroaches or other pest-related violations.
Inspection findings varied widely and often involved dead insects found in basements, traps or storage areas, which does not necessarily indicate active infestations in dining spaces.
Each inspection only shows the conditions of the restaurant or business at the date and time of inspection.
The following establishments had recent inspection reports referencing cockroaches or other pests:
| Restaurant | Last inspection date | Evidence of cockroaches or pests? |
| Backstretch Bar and Grill | Feb. 24 | The report noted a non-critical violation because of the presence of dead insects, which were observed in two traps at end of bar area. The type of insect was not clear. The report also noted the person in charge during the inspection said pest control would be increased from once a month to twice a month when the weather becomes warmer. |
| Ohana Island Grill and Bar | Oct. 25, 2025 | Flies were observed in the bar area, but no roaches. |
| Barley Hopsters | March 12 | The report noted a dead cockroach in the basement. The report also noted the facility had household-use-only Raid Ant and Roach Spray, which is not fit for business use. |
| Mohio Pizza Company | Feb. 25 | The report noted there were dead cockroaches in the basement and walk-in keg refrigerator in the basement. |
| Bun’s Restaurant | Feb. 4 | The follow-up inspection found the restaurant had resolved a violation from the previous inspection involving dead cockroaches below and between the base and floor of the walk-in refrigerator. |
| Yokai Ramen Bistro | Feb. 23 | The inspection found dead cockroaches in the basement. |
| Typhoon Asian Fusion Bistro | Feb. 23 | The inspection found dead cockroaches in the basement. |
| Rutherford Cafe | Feb. 6 | The inspection found dead cockroaches in the basement. The issue was corrected during the inspection. |
Inspection reports only reflect conditions observed at the specific date and time of inspection and do not necessarily indicate an ongoing pest problem.
Attempts to verify roach rumors
As rumors about a widespread downtown pest issue spread online, Delaware Source contacted four local pest management companies seeking additional context.
Delaware Source also contacted Ohio Wesleyan University, an Ohio State University entomologist, the Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed and the City of Delaware seeking additional information about whether environmental or infrastructure conditions downtown could contribute to insect activity.
Part of downtown Delaware sits above or near Delaware Run, a tributary of the Olentangy River that flows beneath portions of the city and Ohio Wesleyan University campus.
Researchers from Ohio Wesleyan University and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency have previously studied the waterway because of flooding, runoff and aging infrastructure concerns.
None of the organizations or experts contacted by Delaware Source provided information confirming a widespread downtown pest issue or a known waterway-related explanation for the inspection findings.
