Bed bug infestation at Neptune Court driving residents crazy

Pensioners Pat Brown, 73, and Lin Hawkins, 77, have been sheltering to avoid the infestation which broke out at Southampton City Council-run Neptune Court on Gemini Close for the last few months.

The two grandmothers claim they first received a letter from the local authority alerting residents in June but thought the issue had been resolved as they had not heard back for some time.

READ MORE: Southampton mum and kids 'eaten by bedbugs' in infested home

However, two community rooms at the complex were closed last week - confining residents to their flats and meaning bingo and card nights were cancelled too.

A council letter to residents on Tuesday (August 27) said: "We have had to make the difficult decision to close all community rooms in both blocks.

“The reason for this is we are having a real problem with bed bugs."

Grandmother of four Lin said the infestation has made people “frightened” to go out.

She said: “You’re frightened to go anywhere or to do anything. I have seen people with it and they’re covered in bruises from it. The fact we have to put up with this it’s disgusting.

“I have gone to the office and all they say is it’s out of their hands and the council is aware of it."

She added: "I wake up at night fearing there's creepy crawlies over me and I realise it's just in my mind. This is driving us crazy."

In the letter, the council urged residents to 'report any bed bug cases to staff as soon as possible' and 'ensure no furniture is coming in or out of your properties'.

Despite this, a mattress and other furniture have been dumped outside the block since the infestation.

Mattresses dumped outside Neptune Court (Image: NQ)

According to the pair, one neighbour reported having bed bugs in their flat three weeks ago - and no-one from pest control has been around since.

Lin said: "If someone gets the bugs then the pest control should be around the very next day and not having to wait three weeks for it."

They also mentioned that some residents are reluctant to report the issue, fearing they won't be able to afford the £700 pest control bill if their flat is infested.

Retired nurse Pat Brown said: “We have had someone here who has bed bugs and has reported it to the council but are still waiting for the council to turn up.

“Since this outbreak, we have really tried to avoid being around people because we just don’t know who has it or not.

“It does feel like we’re back to lockdown and I have been trying to see my sister and she doesn’t want to come around until the issue is resolved.”

She added: “I am embarrassed to invite my friends and family out here.”

A spokesperson for  Southampton City Council said. “We are aware of some problems regarding a bedbug infestation at Neptune Court.

"The council is working hard to ensure that this problem is dealt with effectively. We encourage all residents to report infestations to their supported housing worker who are on site each day.

"They can then ensure that these infestations are investigated and dealt with appropriately.”