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FAMILY ITCHES TO BE RID OF BED BUGS
A FAMILY of five are considering sleeping in their car because their home has been infected with bed bugs.
Chris and Nicola Carter, of Hadlow Avenue, have become so annoyed by the 'lack of support' they have received they may move out.
The council tenants have five young children, but despite a visit from Eastbourne Borough Council's environmental health department, they have been told to sort out the infestation themselves.
Unfortunately for the family, the two treatments carried out by a pest control firm have failed to remove the bugs from the semi-detached house.
Mr Carter, who is not working due to unrelated health problems, said, ''We don't have a clue where they came from, but they are causing us all sorts of problems.
''We've got a private firm in and although we can't afford it, we had to do something because we're at the end of our tether.
''They've come around twice and treated the whole of the upstairs but neither treatment has touched them and we are still over-run.
''It has now become so bad that we are seriously considering leaving the house and sleeping in our car.''
Bed bugs are not on a list of pests and infestations which the borough council are legally obliged to remove for free.
Mr Carter added, ''I don't think that it is right to deny us help when we have five children between four and 11 years old.
''We have already had to get rid of all our bedroom furniture as it was riddled with the bugs.
''We can't even get new furniture until the house is totally clear and even then we can't afford it at present.''
An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesperson said, "Unfortunately, bed bugs are not one of the pests which we are legally obliged to deal with.
"We would deal with an infestations of rats, mice, wasps and fleas for a fee and offer a wide range of advice on other pests.
"Further details can be found on our website or by calling the environmental health department."
Bed bugs are nocturnal insects which feed on the blood of humans and other mammals.
By day they hide in cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, wallpaper and skirting boards, emerging when hungry — usually every few days — to feed.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
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