MCALLEN – Beverly Vansuch says the cockroaches first started appearing a year and a half ago.

"Look, look, look," she said. "They're alive," as she pointed inside her refrigerator.

The cockroaches scrambled away as she opened her cabinets and stove.

Vansuch says she's stuck. She owes two months’ rent. She doesn't have a job. She says she can't afford a deposit on a new place.

"I was killing them with bug spray," she said. "I thought I had it under control."

The apartment is in McAllen, which doesn't have specific rental ordinances that address cockroaches.

Landlords have to address concerns of “health and safety,” according to the Texas Attorney General.

Her landlord is in the process of evicting her, but Vansuch can't simply stop paying rent in response to a housing problem.

Tenants have rights to address certain housing deficiencies, according to The Texas Attorney General. A tenant who wants a landlord to fix a problem must tell the landlord in writing and wait seven days.

If a landlord doesn't take any action, a tenant can pay to repair the problem themselves and deduct the cost from the rent.

"I've tried every trick in the book," said Vansuch, about what she's tried on her own to kill the cockroaches.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS contacted the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency to see if Vansuch can get help moving out.

Case workers with the agency contacted Vansuch and are working on several housing options.