RESIDENTS in Boscombe say they are “living in a horror movie” after thousands of flies have infested a block of flats.
People living in Bournemouth’s Florence House, in Boscombe Spa Road, have had to endure for more than 11 days of hundreds of blue bottle flies, dead and alive, swarming their building.
Hundreds of dead flies are peppered on the corridors and staircases of the building, operated by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) and home to 15 flats.
Resident Peter Berry said it has been “like living in a horror movie” since flies started infesting his flat.
The 50-year-old said: “There is a stupid amount of flies and I am amazed nobody has done anything about it.
“I’ve contacted BCHA and they said pest control would come round on Saturday [October 22] but nobody came.
“It’s disgusting. I worked hundreds of hours looking after adults with disabilities, and often it means sleeping at work overnight. But I don’t want to come home anymore, it’s really affecting me.”
On Saturday alone, Mr Berry had removed around 50 dead flies from his flat. His neighbour Andrew has so far had to remove 319 dead flies but that’s still rising.
Flies started appearing around two weeks ago when a neighbour was found dead in her flat after approximately two weeks.
Flies can also be seen from the outside of the building at the window of the deceased woman’s flat.
Mr Berry added he and his neighbours, some of whom are vulnerable, have “had enough”.
A spokesperson for BCHA said it acted “promptly” to make arrangements for pest control to come round to the property – despite residents waiting 11 days for pest control to come round.
The spokesperson added: “BCHA is deeply saddened to learn that a customer passed away at Florence Court and we extend our condolences to the resident’s family.
“As soon as we received information about the situation, our team made arrangements to access the property and all necessary steps were taken.
“Unfortunately, we were later informed about a fly infestation at the flat and acted promptly to arrange for pest control contractors to visit the property. Remedial work is scheduled to be carried out today to address any remaining issues.
“BCHA is contacting all residents at Florence Court and we apologise to customers who have been upset or inconvenienced while our specialist teams dealt with this difficult situation. We will work closely with residents to ensure that their concerns have been addressed.”
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