Nothing can ruin a guest’s hotel experience like finding bed bugs in their room. In hospitality, the well-being and comfort of guests are paramount, so a bed bug infestation can easily ruin someone’s stay and tarnish your reputation. With people constantly coming and going, it may feel impossible to keep bed bugs out of your establishment, fortunately, there are some precautions you can take to minimize risk. Here’s what hotel management needs to know about bed bugs.
How Common Are Bed Bugs in Hotels?
Bed bugs are best known for coming into hotels through the travelers who stay at hotels – making hotels a hot spot for infestations. The constant flow of guests is the ideal environment for bed bugs to thrive. Bed bugs can even occur in the best-kept hotels since a single guest can initiate a rapid infestation.
How Can You Prevent Bed Bugs as a Hotel Manager?
In all reality, preventing bed bugs is incredibly difficult due to the high number of travelers that arrive daily. However, by being aware of the signs and taking quick action, you can minimize your risk of severe infestation. The steps you can take include:
- Put insect-proof encasements on mattresses
- Incorporate inspections into regular cleaning routines
- Steam clean all upholstered furniture, including headboards
- Keep guest rooms and common areas free from clutter
- Monitor feedback from guests to see if anyone reports bed bugs
- Coordinate with a commercial pest control professional
Signs of Bed Bugs in Hotels
Notify your staff to monitor for bed bugs as guest rooms are cleaned. The faster you notice an infestation, the easier it is to contain it. Some ways that you can educate your staff on how to notice the signs include:
- Visible Bugs: Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that can sometimes be seen crawling on mattresses, bedding, or furniture.
- Dark Spots: Dark spots or stains on bedding, mattresses, or furniture may indicate bed bug fecal matter or blood stains left behind after feeding.
- Eggshells and Shed Skins: Bed bugs shed their skins as they grow, leaving behind translucent eggshells and molted exoskeletons in areas where they hide.
- Musty Odor: A sweet, musty odor may be present in rooms with a significant bed bug infestation, particularly in enclosed spaces like closets or behind furniture.
What to Do if Your Hotel Has Bed Bugs
Finding bed bugs in your hotel is an alarming situation. Should mitigating an infestation become unmanageable, it’s best to turn to professional bed bug exterminators. These experts have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to effectively eliminate bed bugs and minimize disruption to hotel operations.
At Anderson Pest Solutions, we offer a wide range of bed bug removal services for hotel managers in Illinois and Indiana. We offer discreet services that will quickly contain the issue without alarming guests. If your hotel is experiencing an outbreak of bed bugs, contact us today!
