Bed Bugs in Hotels
Why Are Hotels Such a Common Place for Bed Bugs to Turn Up?
Because they only feed on blood, bed bugs are attracted to any place where they can find a meal quickly and easily. They also are known to hitchhike in luggage and personal belongings, which is why they are often found in hotels traveling from room to room for feeding. Additionally, hotels experience a high turnover, so guests are constantly coming in and out of rooms, making expert treatments a necessary part of an effective bed bug control plan.
How to Check for Bed Bugs in a Hotel Room
With that in mind, it’s important to know how to check a hotel for pests. Once your maintenance and housekeeping staff know where to look, they can identify signs of pest activity and alert you to any issues.
Here are a few simple tips to help prevent pest problems in guest rooms:
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Monitor Pest Attractions: Ask housekeeping staff to keep an eye out for conditions that may attract pests – such as spilled food and drinks left uncleaned by guests, loose-fitting window screens or window screens with holes, and cracks and crevices that have not been sealed – and report them to maintenance immediately.
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Look Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation: Train housekeeping staff to inspect for small blood stains, dark fecal spots, or a musty odor during regular room cleanings.
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Inspect the Bed: Carefully examine the mattress seams, box spring, and headboard for small, reddish-brown bugs, shed skins, or tiny white eggs. Remove headboards and inspect behind them for bed bugs every six to 12 months.
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Check the Furniture: Look at upholstered chairs, couches, and behind picture frames and mirrors.
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Examine the Luggage Rack: Bed bugs often hide in luggage racks, so inspect these as well.
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Quarantine Affected Rooms: Quarantine bed bug-infested room(s) and any adjoining rooms immediately for treatment.
Commercial Bed Bug Control
However, bed bugs are not strictly limited to hotels—they can infest offices, stores, airplanes, movie theatres, gyms and more. And contrary to popular belief, bed bug infestations are not a result of poor housekeeping or sanitation, so ongoing monitoring and maintenance visits are essential to help protect your property from these silent intruders. Contact an Orkin Pro to learn more about our commercial bed bug control services.