DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Some residents at the Dothan Rescue Mission claim they have been living in fear as they have been dealing with several unwelcomed visitors when it’s time to go to sleep at night — bed bugs.

Michael Lister, who has been living at the Dothan Rescue Mission for about six weeks now, claims a bed bug infestation in the living facility is taking a toll on his health.

“I have had a total thyroidectomy they took my voice and I still have cancer and it’s declining my health I was just at the emergency room yesterday,” Lister said. “I have to get out in the streets daily to get out because it’s so unhealthy it’s like they are almost feeding on a free buffet.”

Lister said from talking with residents at the rescue mission it’s been going for about 4 to five years — yet he believes it’s been kept under the radar in fear of residents not having anywhere else to go.

“I reached out to other organizations and the health department but I feel like it’s falling on a deaf ear,” He said.

Two weeks ago he captured bed bugs in the corners of the bed he normally sleeps in and even blood on the blanket of his bed from trying to kill them.

Lister claims staff has not come to the rescue enough. Instead, he says they just tell them to leave and go to other places like the library which he says could lead to a community problem.

“I’m cognitive of myself and what’s on my bags but a lot of those guys are not and they will sit in there from 10 to 3 sitting in those chairs or the floor,” Lister said.

Brad Hardy the executive director says it is a problem they are battling but he says it’s coming from the outside in since they accept people off the street.

“We try to limit what they bring in its a constant battle as soon as we hear a complaint we work on that bed, room and spray it regularly,” Hardy said.

But Lister says those cleaning efforts are not working.

“They are making it worse by storing mats in a room bed bugs can be incubated for a year and then come out with a vengeance,” Lister added.

Hardy says if it becomes uncontrollable, the health department would have to come in and shut them down for a few days and all residents will be released while they do an inspection.