BEDBUGS have now been found in eight properties at a block flats for elderly people.

Treatment is still being carried out in Twynham Court in Dean Park Road, Bournemouth.

The 48 flats are managed by Christchurch Housing Society for the over-60s.

One resident’s daughter told the Echo: “My elderly mother has bedbugs and people are not very happy about this.”

Joseph Hickish, the director of Christchurch Housing Society, said: “The contractors dealing with the ‘bed bug’ problem at Twynham Court have found evidence of the presence of bugs in eight flats. “This appears to be restricted to one floor and one compartmentalised area, but obviously the situation is being fully monitored and treatment has been and is being carried out.”

The flats also had bedbugs last year.

Bedbugs, which are known as Cimex Lectularius, feed on human blood and grow to around one third of an inch long.

Treatments used include pesticides, throwing away contaminated belongings, and raising room temperatures above 45C.

A 77-year-old resident told the Echo: “I have heard people mention it about last year’s but I haven’t had any problems and this seems to have ‘hopped’ out of all proportion.”

An 80-year-old resident said: “Someone mentioned it the other day but I haven’t got any problems.”

Nic Wedge, Bournemouth Council’s pest control manager, said: “We are aware that Christchurch Housing Society brought in a specialist firm to deal with the issue previously and that they have done so again due to the recent infestation.”