PORTLAND, Ore. -- Renters at an apartment complex near Portland State University said bed bugs have invaded several apartment units.

Several people on different floors of Park Place Plaza said they either have dealt with bed bugs in their apartment or they know someone on their floor who has dealt with the biting insects.

The renters said apartment management has not done enough to solve the bug problem.

"The problem has been going on for a while so I think it should be solved by now," said Matthew Reyman, who said he was forced to deal with the bed bugs.

Neighbors said some renters have been forced to move out and others have threatened lawsuits for the expense of cleaning up the problem in their homes.

Management at Park Plaza, located on Park Avenue in downtown Portland, refused to comment and said the corporate owners plan to respond as soon as Tuesday.

Bed bugs are slightly larger than a flea and can lay eggs. Anyone who has a bed bug problem should have a professional inspect the home and then clean everything from carpets to clothes.

Sarah Starett said she completed the time-consuming process of cleaning everything in the apartment. She also had exterminators spray down her living area.

"Everything in our closets had to be taken out and washed or dry-cleaned," Starett said.

The cleaning cost Starrett $150 and she said more needs to be done to get rid of the problem for good.

"(The bugs) are just going from apartment to apartment and I don't want it to come back," she said.