Fear and loathing in bedbug-infested seniors building

This article describes the struggles of Lewie Gwyllt, a 64-year-old resident of a 107-unit seniors' housing complex in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For nearly eight years, Gwyllt has lived in a suite on 529 Country Club Blvd., a building plagued by recurrent bedbug infestations. Despite monthly, albeit unsuccessful, eradication treatments, Gwyllt continues to suffer from anxiety and insomnia due to the constant threat of bedbugs in his surroundings.

His tenancy has been marked by futile attempts to rid his suite of the pests, with him taking various precautions such as bagging laundry, steaming clothes, and purchasing protective covers for furniture. However, the mental strain of living in an infested environment has been immense, resulting in Gwyllt relying on anti-anxiety medication to cope with the stress and despair.

The situation has prompted nearby tenants to share their concerns with area MLA Logan Oxenham, who visited the building to listen to their complaints and offer support. The NDP MLA acknowledged the severity of the bedbug issue and committed to addressing the needs of the seniors' residents.

However, Gwyllt remains skeptical of the current pest control measures employed by Manitoba Housing, believing that more proactive action is required to tackle the root cause of the problem. He notes that despite repeated spraying, bedbugs still persist, even appearing in suites shortly after being treated. Gwyllt emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive approach that considers tenant cooperation, as the current method has proven ineffective in completely eliminating the infestation.

Pest-control expert Lincoln Poulin, who works with Manitoba Housing, acknowledges the need for improved treatment methods but also highlights the importance of tenant cooperation. Despite the province's efforts, he has been unable to accommodate additional pest control requests due to provincial regulations. Poulin underscores the urgency of addressing the issue, stating that a multi-year infestation in any building is far too long to endure.