Residents of an Aberdeen block of flats claim they have been subjected to nearly two years of misery at the hands of a cricket infestation.
The creepy crawlies first appeared in the properties in Mugiemoss Court at the start of last year but have now hatched young in the walls.
One man living in the building has complained owners Langstane Housing Association have not done enough to solve the problem.
He said: “They are in around my dog’s food bowl and his bed, they are under my fridge and I have even found them where I prepare my food.
“At the start I was catching the occasional cricket but now they are hatching babies – they are definitely breeding in the walls.
“There is a colony the pest control have not been be able to reach.”
Experts have been brought in to the man’s property four times in the past two years but the insect invaders have always bounced back.
Monitoring traps, to gauge how large the infestation might be, have been left around the man’s property.
Pest control have sprayed bug treatments in behind electrical sockets but have been unable to reach all the wall cavities.
The same resident complained: “These are not even native – talking to the housing association has been like talking to a brick wall.
“They must have been brought into the building by someone more than once.
“My upstairs neighbour is the same as me – he caught an absolute bruiser in his flat yesterday.”
Last night the chief executive of Langstane Housing Association promised action within the next week.
Helen Gauld said the problem dated back to early 2018, and added: “Although the origin of the crickets was quickly identified, eradicating them completely has undoubtedly proved more challenging.
“We have, despite best efforts and a period of several months when no further sightings were recorded, had to call out a professional pest control company again.
“A full report will be received after their visit, and treatment being applied, on Monday.
“If recommended, we will consider any further action that can be taken, early next week.”
