CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — It took longer than expected, but the bedbugs have been driven out of four fire stations along the South Carolina coast.

Charleston Fire Department officials said Monday they checked all 16 of their stations and they are free of the pests.

Firefighters moved from the four affected stations in recent weeks because bedbugs were hard to eradicate.

Crews from two stations on James Island moved to air-conditioned tents. Firefighters from a station on Daniel Island and another in the city moved to other stations.

Interim Fire Chief John Tippet said large propane tanks were used to heat the inside of the affected areas for several hours.

K-9s trained to detect bedbugs have checked all the stations and are available to check firefighters’ homes if requested.