Houston couple claim they were bitten by bed bugs while watching movie at Dunvale AMC – Chron.com

By Fernando Ramirez, Chron.com / Houston Chronicle

A Houston couple are claiming their house became infested with bed bugs after the pests allegedly hitched a ride with them from an AMC movie theater.

Anthony VanDuyn said he and his wife attended a Friday showing of "All Eyez on Me" at the AMC Studio 30 on Dunvale when he began to feel itchy.

"I'm sitting there scratching my arms,"VanDuyn said. "My wife thought it was an allergic reaction. I've been through bed bugs more than once. We got up, walked out."

TIPS AND TRICKS:A Traveler's Guide to Avoiding Bed Bugs' Bite

VanDuyn said right as he got to AMC's customer help desk, a bed bug fell off of him and onto the floor.

Click through to see a list of pests that can be found in the Lone Star State.

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Houston couple claim they were bitten by bed bugs while watching movie at Dunvale AMC

"I kindly warned the guy in front of us and he stepped on it," VanDuyn said, noting that he had managed to take a video of the bug, seen above. "Long story short, the manager took our claim and even had us sign a piece of paper. We had to strip our clothes, my wife had to throw away her purse and my phone case for my new iPhone."

In a statement to Chron.com, AMC said it was "made aware of the report" and "brought in a third-party pest control expert to conduct an inspection, which found zero evidence of bed bugs at AMC Studio 30."

"This is an issue AMC takes very seriously," continued the statement. "Any guest report results in a third-party inspection of the suspected area, and, if evidence is found, it undergoes immediate treatment."

STUDY: Houston is among the most bed bug-infested spots in the nation

VanDuyn said the last time he dealt with bed bugs was over a year ago, and now the same symptoms have begun to occur in his household.

"My hands and arms are getting it the worst," VanDuyn said. "I called an exterminator, he was just out here yesterday and found nothing, but said he would keep following up."

"I hope one way or another something can happen," VanDuyn said. "Me and my wife are sitting here with this at home now. We're just sitting here playing the waiting game."

Click through to see a list of pests that can be found in the Lone Star State.

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Houston couple claim they were bitten by bed bugs while watching movie at Dunvale AMC - Chron.com