A FAMILY has told of how a bed bug infestation got so bad they found the blood-sucking critters in their kids’ ears and prams.
Mark Henderson, Chelsea Francis and their youngsters Ewan, two, and Riley, four weeks, say the invasion got so bad they’ve been forced out of their home.
SWNSYoung Ewan, two, ended up with bed bugs in his ears and pram when his family home became infested[/caption]
SWNSMum Chelsea Francis was covered in bites from the London council flat, too[/caption]
SWNSChelsea and partner Mark say their house became unlivable[/caption]
The young family had been living in a council flat in London‘s Fulham when they started to notice something strange.
The bed bugs started appearing in 2018, but Mark says the infestation started becoming unlivable last year.
The 27-year-old dad said they became too scared to leave the house out of fears people would think they were dirty.
He said: “It was horrific having to live there. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
“Me, my partner and two kids couldn’t leave the house because we are covered in [bed bugs] and didn’t want to pass them on.
“I don’t want people to think we’re dirty – the house was spotless. We’re clean people but the bed bugs were just everywhere.”
Then the couple started making skin-crawling discoveries.
Mark said: “My kids get [bed bugs] in their ears – it’s absolutely disgusting.
“We couldn’t go to out as a family.
“There was funfair the other day that we had planned to go to, but we couldn’t. The bed bugs are in their prams, in their clothes – they are even in the fridge.
“We just want to live our lives and be able to go outside. No one should have to go through this.”
Mum Chelsea said all their efforts to rid their home of the critters – including calling the council nine times – failed.
The 26-year-old continued: “The bed bugs weren’t budging. They get in wardrobes and in my bed. They were everywhere.
“It was awful and so gross, knowing that you were getting crawled on the whole time. It was like a nightmare.”
My kids get bed bugs in their ears – it’s absolutely disgusting.
Mark Henderson
The couple were yesterday finally moved into a hotel by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
The council said it had been to the flat nine times since 2018 over bed bugs, and said it was working to get the family a new home.
A council spokesperson said: “We have acted swiftly Thursday and moved the family into a hotel, as we find them a new, permanent home.
“We are now working closely with the family to make sure that they have the daily support they need – including a dedicated social worker, any clothing, bedding or furniture they need, meals, as well as financial help to allow them to buy other food and supplies.
“Any H&F residents struggling to pay their bills or need advice about benefits or support can call our dedicated team for help on 0800 917 6994 or visit: www.lbhf.gov.uk/costofliving.”
Fears of a British “super-bed bug” invasion are growing as Paris is currently plagued with the six-legged blood-sucking critters.
The Sun this week revealed where the UK’s bed bug outbreak is hitting hardest.
The council visited the family’s home nine times over five years after calls about the blood-sucking critters
SWNSMum Chelsea said they couldn’t get rid of the bugs no matter how hard they tried[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
