The weather’s getting warmer, the sun is out… and bed bugs are thriving. Bed bugs aren’t just gross, they’re an expensive issue in the hospitality industry. From paying for treatment to guest compensation, bed bugs know how to rack up the bill.
Not only do bed bugs spread quickly, the word of an infestation does, too. Don’t let your hotel’s reputation plummet—follow our tips to keep bed bugs out for good!
How do I keep bed bugs out of my hotel?
Educate your employees
The first step to preventing these pesky pests is to educate your staff on the signs of bed bugs. Your employees should always be on the lookout for:
- Rust-colored stains on mattresses and linens. These marks happen when the bed bugs are crushed while they are feeding or if they have fed recently.
- Eggs, eggshells, or shed skin. The eggs are about 1mm in size and the shed skin is commonly tan or pale yellow.
- Bed bug fecal matter. This will appear as small dark spots often on bedding that smear when wiped.
Schedule routine inspections
Be proactive and not reactive when it comes to bed bug prevention. Have the professionals come to your hotel for routine pest check ups. This way, they can catch and treat a problem right away!
Create a bed bug action plan
Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to keep bed bugs out completely. With a high number of guests coming in and out from different states and countries, it’s bound to happen eventually. This is why it’s important to have a plan when a guest makes a complaint about these pests. Having a solid plan for you and your hotel staff will help prevent a future infestation. Your bed bug complaint action plan should include the following information:
- Hotel staff should be empathetic and understanding of the guest that is making the complaint.
- The employee should ask the guest questions about the signs they discovered.
- In-house pest management should be involved.
- Make sure the staff handles the packing and movement of the guest’s belongings.
- Relocate the guests to a room at the other end of the hotel.
- If a bed bug infestation is confirmed, get professional pest control involved immediately
Make sanitation a priority
Make sure the hotel staff is thoroughly washing linens, bedding, and the entire room between each guest. Bed bugs die at temps over 120° F, so washing and drying bedding and towels is a great way to prevent them from infesting the hotel room.
Get in touch with Assured to keep your hotel pest-free! From bed bug treatment to routine inspections, we can keep unwanted visitors out of your commercial property. We have developed the industry’s most effective solutions for detecting and eliminating bed bug infestations in North America—contact Assured Environments today!