IT’S not just the quest for points, which has been a huge challenge for Marvelous Nakamba and Luton Town in the English Premiership, in recent weeks.
The Hatters have picked just one win from eight league matches and find themselves with four points, a place above the relegation zone.
But, that is not the only challenge they are facing right now.
An outbreak of bed bugs in Luton has led to the Town Council revealing it is carrying out an “alarming number” of jobs to get rid of the pests.
Luton Council in Bedfordshire has issued guidance on what its residents should do to prepare for a visit from a pest control officer.
It comes amid fears that an outbreak of bed bugs in Paris could be spreading to parts of the UK.
In a statement on its website, Luton Council said: “This national bedbug problem has not missed Luton.
“The Pest Control Service is currently receiving an alarming number of bedbug jobs on a weekly basis.
“Whilst the bed bug is not known to be a carrier of disease, the council does recognise the bed bug as being an obnoxious pest with which to have to share a home and for that reason control in the domestic property is not free.
“However, successful treatment can be a lengthy process and the council does not have limitless resources to counter this pest.”
People with bed bugs in their home may contact the Council to arrange a visit from a pest control officer.
The Council said residents should prepare for the treatment by stripping all beds and bed covers and emptying wardrobes, drawers and bookcases.
“The insecticides used in your home will be used properly and safely and the pest control officer will advise you on any further precautions you need to take,” the Council said.
In France, bed bugs have been reported in schools, cinemas, hospitals and on public transports, with many cases in Paris.
Professor Robert Smith, an entomologist at the University of Huddersfield, told Yahoo News UK:
“Increasing numbers of reports of bed bugs in Luton and elsewhere are likely to reflect widespread media coverage over the last week or so.
“Bed bug infestations have, however, become more common over many years in the UK and across the world.
“This is probably because of the evolution of resistance to insecticides, and might also be affected by restrictions in availability and use of some insecticides.” — H-Metro Reporter/uk.news.yahoo.com.