Beetle battle ends with out-of-court settlement

A Paradise couple who found a rare insect infestation in their hardwood flooring have reached a settlement, averting a hearing in smallclaims court.

CBC Investigates first spoke with Tim and Elizabeth Stanley in January. They had purchased hardwood from local retailer Atlantic Home Furnishings for their daughter's playroom, but later discovered that it was infested.

• Beetle battle pits homeowners against flooring firms

Exterminators identified the pests as truepowderpost beetles, and told the Stanleys the odds of having an infestation was equivalent towinning the lottery.

They recommended that the entire house be treated, for a total estimated cost of $25,000.

At that time, the localretailer and the Quebec manufacturer, Mercier Wood Flooring, said they were not responsible for the bugs.

The Stanleys took the companies to small claims court. After several unsuccessful attempts to reacha settlement, the matter was set to go to trial.

• Beetle battle over hardwood headed to trial

But on May 6, the case was withdrawn.

Atlantic Home Furnishings' lawyer, Denis Barry, told CBC Investigates via email that "this matter was settled outside court to the satisfaction of all parties, with the terms of same to be kept confidential."

Mercier's lawyer, Jane Crosbie, confirmed that the matter was withdrawn, and said there's strict confidentiality on the details surrounding it.

The Stanleysdid not respond to requests forcomment.