Franklin Towers residents involved about rising mattress bug infestation

FBI AGENTS AND THE BOSTON POLICE SPENT THE BIGGEST DAY OF THE DAY ON CAMPUS INVESTIGATIONS. AFTER THE POWER LOSS, SOME RESIDENTS IN THE FRANKLIN TOWERS STILL LIVE WITH LIMITED POWER… BUT THEY HAVE ANOTHER CONCERN – BED BUGS, AS WELL. FRANKLIN TOWER RESIDENTS REACH EIGHT RESEARCHERS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS. NORAH HOGAN HAS ASKED THE PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO RESOLVE IT. “BED BUGS ARE DIFFICULT TO ELIMINATE. THE DESTRUCTION PROCESS IS LONG TERM AND EXPENSIVE. ONCE YOU PERFORM IN AN APARTMENT LIKE THIS, IT FEEL LIKE THEY STAY THERE.” “I WAS UP ALL NIGHT NURSING.” ACCORDING TO THE PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY, THERE ARE 21 UNITS OWNED BY AUGUST. THE NUMBER HAS INCREASED CONSTANTLY IN THE LAST MONTHS. PHA SAYS THEY WORK WITH RESIDENTS TO KILL THE PESTS BUT CANNOT PERFORM THE TREATMENT IF THE RESIDENTS PREPARE THEIR UNIT BEFORE. “WE USE A PROFESSIONAL SKILL COMPANY – HONEST AND THEY HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION AND IF THEY CAN PERFORM THE TREATMENTS IT IS VERY EFFECTIVE.” RESIDENTS MUST PUSH FURNITURE FROM WALLS, WASH ALL FABRIC AND PACK ALL PROPERTIES. FOR ELDERLY RESIDENTS – THIS IS A REAL CHALLENGE. “BROKEN SHOULDER AND BROKEN WRIST. AND I CAN’T LIFT ANYTHING.” WHILE THE PESTS SPREAD – RESIDENTS WITHOUT BED BUGS ARE CONSTANTLY WORRY ABOUT THE SPREAD. “Everyone thinks about it. 24 hours a day, seven days a week you know it’s not going to go away. And until they become more aggressive when you get rid of them.” “NOW NOT EVERY APARTMENT IN THE BUILDING HAS AWAKEN BUT SOME RESIDENTS TELL US THAT THEY FEEL THAT IT JUST

Franklin Towers residents are concerned about the growing bed bug infestation

“It’s on everyone’s lips 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They know it won’t go away until they become more aggressive to get rid of them.

Updated: 8:19 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2022

After the blackout, some Franklin Towers residents are still living with limited electricity, but that’s not their only concern. Residents of the building turned to 8 investigators seeking answers amid a growing bed bug infestation. According to the Portland Housing Authority, 21 units had active bed bug infestations in August. The number of affected units has increased steadily in recent months. Cheryl Sessions, PHA’s chief executive, says they are working to rectify the situation. “We use a professional insect company, Ehrlich, and they have a great reputation and when they’re able to do the treatments, it’s very effective,” Sessions said. Residents must prepare their units before they can be treated. This involves placing furniture in the center of the room, packing all items and washing all fabrics, a process that can be challenging for older people with health concerns who cannot lift,” said the Beverly Collins resident, who uses a motorized wheelchair. According to Sessions, PHA is offering assistance to tenants who are unable to prepare their rooms for treatment, but Collins said this has not been communicated.As the infestation worsens, residents who do not have bed bugs are constantly concerned about the spread. “It’s busy 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said resident David Caston Sr. “You know it’s not going to go away until you become more aggressive about getting rid of them.”

PORTLAND, Maine —

After the blackout, some Franklin Towers residents are still living with limited electricity, but that’s not their only concern. Building residents turned to 8 investigations for answers amid a growing bed bug infestation.

According to the Portland Housing Authority, 21 units had active bed bug infestations as of August. The number of affected units has increased steadily in recent months.

Cheryl Sessions, PHA’s chief executive, says they are working to rectify the situation.

“We use a professional insect company, Ehrlich, and they have a great reputation, and when they’re able to do the treatments, it’s very effective,” Sessions said.

Residents must prepare their units before they can be treated. This involves placing furniture in the center of the room, packing all items and washing all fabrics, a process that can be challenging for the elderly with health issues.

“I’m three years post-op, broken shoulder, broken wrist and I can’t lift anything,” said Beverly Collins resident, who uses a motorized wheelchair.

According to Sessions, PHA is offering assistance to renters who are unable to prepare their rooms for treatment, but Collins said this has not been disclosed.

As the infestation worsens, residents who do not have bed bugs are constantly concerned about the spread.

“It’s all the rage 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said resident David Caston Sr. “They know it’s not going to go away until they become more aggressive to get rid of it.”