Tenants at Timmins apartment building sound alarm on bedbug issue

Tiffany Moyle of Timmins told CTV News one of her family members lives at 217 Pine St. North, a building owned and operated by the Cochrane District Services Board.

Since March, her family member has been battling bedbugs that have infiltrated her unit, resulting in a rash requiring medical treatment.

"The problem is, they're not just in your bed -- they're in your couch, in your recliner, they're in your dressers," said Moyle.

"They are all over the apartment. They're on the walls. I'm talking because I witnessed it myself. It is disgusting."

Other tenants are experiencing similar ordeals. Claire Tremblay said it’s killing her.

"Everything is in garbage bag," said Tremblay.

"You could come and see if you want. I got nothing to hide. Garbage bag life. You know, I don't cook. Like, I'll zap up something in a microwave or whatever, but you don't even want to cook her or do anything."

She said her apartment has been sprayed by a pest control company six times since May and she collects bedbugs in between sprays.

Tenants at 217 Pine St. North share their concerns about an ongoing bedbug issue that’s forcing them to find new places to live. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)

"It's because when the Orkin guy comes, I want to show them how much I picked up" between sprays, Tremblay said.

Robert Joseph also lives in the building and said it needs a deep clean.

"They got to do it right … because they're in the walls and you got to spray that from the top all the way down," said Joseph.

He plans to move and Tremblay said she has already given her notice.

Moyle's loved one is hoping to relocate, as well, but has been told she can’t bring any of her possessions from the building.

Call for education

Moyle would like officials to educate tenants.

"Inform these residents of what bedbugs are and, you know, educate them," said Moyle.

"Have the Porcupine Health Unit come into this building and do an information session to the whole building … There is no indication when you go into this building, no flyers, no pamphlets. They have bulletin boards right when you walk in -- nothing about bedbugs going on again."

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In a statement to CTV News, the Cochrane District Services Board said it's committed to resolving the issue and has been working to address it.

Cameron Grant, communications manager for Cochrane District Services Board, said in this in a statement:

"Currently, fewer than 10 units in the 103-unit building have been identified as requiring pest control treatment. We are pleased that most tenants in these units have cooperated, allowing our pest control team to carry out necessary extermination measures. However, we are facing challenges with a few tenants who have refused to leave their units, which hinders our ability to administer treatments effectively."

Bedbugs feed on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. The Porcupine Health Unit said the pests are a nuisance but not a public health threat.