An exterminator says his team has nearly wiped out a massive infestation of bedbugs that have plagued residents of Alderney Manor in Dartmouth for years.

The situation was so bad at the provincially-run building that Canada Post refused to deliver mail.

Bugs had made their way into about half of the 200 units in the building. One resident told CBC the situation left her too scared to sleep at night.

The Metropolitan Regional Housing Authority started an all-out offensive three months ago. It hired exterminators to use sprays, vacuums, steam and chemical dust to kill the aggressive pests.

"They were fulltime in there Monday to Friday, five days a week for 12 to 13 weeks," said John Zinck of Orkin Canada, who was hired to do the job.

Zinck expects the remaining few bedbugs will be killed within days.

The housing authority has committed to retesting the entire building in the next few weeks. It’s also promising to start an intensive monitoring program to ensure the bedbugs are gone for good.