A ROMSEY man has been forced to camp in his living room for six months after his flat became infested with scores of moths.

John Ford, who lives in Wakeford Court, Cressey Road, had his home fumigated twice in the last ten months after discovering “60 black moths” in his kitchen and bedroom.

The 74-year-old sealed off his kitchen in an attempt to keep the Indian meal moths at bay, meaning John has lived off of microwaved food after moving the appliance into his living room.

Now John’s friend has hit out at the housing company, Aster Group, for allowing the retired taxi driver to live in these “appalling conditions”.

However, Aster Group has said they plan to investigate the pests once “government guidelines” on the coronavirus crisis are relaxed.

John’s friend Lucy Sky said: “I have battled the system for ten months now, because Aster Group have refused to act responsibly for these dire living conditions.

“I am shocked and appalled everybody I have tried to engage with on this matter are allowing him to live like this; we have been to the Environmental Health service, Test Valley Borough Council and Caroline Nokes about this because this is a housing issue and he has told me he would be under a train if it wasn’t for me helping him.

“We are talking about 60 black moths, which is horrific, and he has paid to have his flat fumigated twice. A man who has been in pest control for 30 years thinks the moths are feeding off the glue from the old floor that was there, because when I lifted up that floor I found moths there.”

The 62-year-old added: “It is tipping him over the edge living like that and I feel I have to do something for this man because he needs support. He is also talking about sleeping rough which really upsets me.

“It is a really difficult situation because he does not have a tablet or computer to access the internet, so he does not have any backup or anyone coming to help him.

“John is also having to use a spray to kill the moths when he is asthmatic.

“He is being fobbed off by Aster who has said it is his problem when it is their responsibility to give him temporary accommodation so they can go in there and sort it out.”

John said the moths have not been killed yet because it can take “three attempts” for this to be successful, which he has been told by pest control.

He added he will “stick it out” for the moment while the battle against coronavirus takes priority and has been tackling the smaller moths with Cillit Bang and detergent spray.

However, he said he will flee the flat if the moths invade his front room, stressing he does not know if he can “mentally carry on” for much longer.

A spokesperson from the Aster Group said: “We are sorry to hear about our customer’s problem in his home.

“We have been working alongside the local Environmental Health team, which has resulted in fumigation treatments being carried out at the property.”

They added: “Further planned work to investigate the issue has been put on hold due to current restrictions warning against all but essential contact, however as soon as government guidelines are relaxed we will be able to return to our customer’s home.”