Attack of the beetles (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Attack of the beetles

BLACK beetles have been plaguing residents in two blocks of flats in Berkeley Close, South Cerney.

They are believed to be common black beetles and have been causing problems at the Fosseway Housing Association-owned flats for the last five weeks.

Resident Melanie Dimitrio has two children and a seventh month old baby.

She said: "Everyone in my block of flats and the next block has them. "I have found them in our clothes, on the beds and in my little ones cot, which is my main worry.

"It's horrible for her.

"I'm not worried about us because we can flick them off but the little ones can't do that.

"I phoned Fosseway Housing Association up about a week after we had them but they told me it was not their problem and I should call Environmental Health.

"At the end of the day what are we paying our rent for?"

Residents think the number of beetles could be related to the dampness left by flooding problems in the area over the past years.

Gemma Sampson, aged 19, is pregnant with her second child.

She said: "We can't afford to pay for pest control.

"We just want them (Fosseway Housing Association) to take some responsibility for it. "It's their building and not ours, we are paying to live here."

Miss Dimitrio said the beetles can bite and leave a bite mark.

She said: "It's like a gnat bite and is very itchy.

"We had the beetle problem last year but it wasn't so bad.

"We are now really worried that without fumigation they will lay eggs again and next year it will be even worse."

Housing Services manager at Fosseway Housing Association Christine Gibson said: "Dealing with pests of this nature is the responsibility of the tenant.

"Regular articles are placed within the tenants' quarterly newsletter to explain who is responsible for such items, to avoid confusion.

"Different companies charge very different amounts, so I would advise tenants to shop around."

Cotswold District Council spokesman Claire McGine said: "Pest Control went over to visit the flats on Friday.

"An estimate has now been sent to Fosseway Housing Association for dealing with the problem."