BELMONT, N.C. — Channel 9 obtained a video of what appears to be bed bugs scattered all over a Belmont motel.
The couple who rented a room at the Abbey Inn knew there was something wrong when they woke up itching all over.
They went to the management about the problem.
Eyewitness News spoke to the motel manager by phone Friday.
She said after the complaints, she went into the room and didn’t see any bugs but said she welcomes the state Health Department visit Monday.
Carl and Tiffany Ellis say they have video evidence of an infestation.
They used their cellphone to record what looks like bed bugs in the mattress and said they felt like something was crawling on them in the morning when they woke up.
“You could see them crawling around and the bite marks that were left on my skin,” said Carl Ellis.
They said they spent the past three nights at the motel.
The first two nights were in Room 110, where they suspected there were bed bugs.
Then Friday morning, they saw them, they said.
“You expect to go in and be able to rest assured knowing that everything is clean and you are comfortable. You shouldn’t have to worry about that stuff,” said Tiffany Ellis.
She said when they complained to the manager, they were offered a refund and an extra free night.
“Why would I stay somewhere that has bed bugs?” Tiffany Ellis asked.
They complained to the Health Department, explaining it appeared to be bed bugs, but they can’t be certain.
They say because this is a weekly stay motel, it is regulated differently.
Health inspectors can only check to make sure the motel doesn’t have too many daily tenants.
If they have more than four health officials, they can take action.
Belmont’s city manager said he will alert his code enforcement officer about the complaints.
The Ellises say they want one thing.
“Clean it up,” Tiffany Ellis said.
The manager told Eyewitness News she believes the rooms are clean.
However, Friday morning, the staff sprayed the rooms as a precaution.