3 Ways Pest Sightings Damage a Hotel’s Bottom Line
Let’s be real: A single cockroach scurrying across your lobby floor isn't just a gross-out moment. It’s a walking, crawling one-star review waiting to happen. To keep your operations healthy, and your revenue streams flowing, you need more than a flyswatter. You need Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
What is IPM?
Think of IPM as a proactive security system, but instead of burglars, it locks out beetles, rodents, and flies. It’s not about waiting for pests to show up and then relying on chemicals to fix the problem.
IPM is a science-backed, ongoing cycle designed to prevent problems before they start. Here’s how you and your staff can work with pest control providers to implement effective IPM strategies:
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Assess: Staff can work with pest control providers to inspect the facility thoroughly, identifying specific pests and pinpointing how they’re getting in. Staff can assist by reporting pest activity and maintaining a clean environment to make inspections more effective.
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Implement: Partnering with pest control experts can help you address root causes. This includes
sealing cracks, fixing sanitation issues, and using non-chemical barriers as a first line of defense. Your staff can support these efforts by maintaining high cleanliness standards and ensuring proper storage practices.
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Monitor: Staff and pest control providers can collaborate on regular monitoring. Through ongoing
documentation and routine checks, businesses can ensure pests stay out. Employees can play a key role by staying vigilant and immediately reporting any signs of pest activity.
By partnering with pest control professionals and engaging staff in these steps, you can create an environment that protects your operations and reputation from pests.
IPM Protection for Hotels
Pests in hotels can harm your reputation, ruin guest experiences, and lead to costly room closures. High occupancy rates and frequent guest turnover increase the risk of issues like bed bugs, rodents, and ants. Fortunately, an IPM plan can help you keep pests from checking in.
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Ongoing Inspection: Staff should inspect for live insects, ink-like stains or molted skins on mattress tags and seams, furniture cushions and behind headboards. If you spot a bed bug or signs of activity, contact your pest management provider, take the affected room(s) out of service and leave the room untouched.
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Seal Pests Out: Ensure door sweeps, weather stripping and window screens are installed and in good condition throughout your hotel.
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Survey the Grounds: Inspect your grounds and parking lots frequently to make sure they are free from trash that can attract ants and other crawling pests.
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Hard-to-Reach Area: Regularly sweep and vacuum elevators, and work with your elevator maintenance company to lift the elevator and clean the bottom of the shaft every few months.
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Take Out the Trash: Empty trash cans frequently and schedule regular pickups with your waste management company. During times of high occupancy, adjust the trash schedule to avoid overflow.
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Dining Room Hot-Spot: Immediately clean up spills and crumbs as diners finish their meals. At the end of each day, deep clean the dining areas to prevent residues and odors that can attract pests.
By prioritizing Integrated Pest Management, your hotel can maintain a pristine environment and keep pests in their place—outside. Proactive measures like addressing waste management, regular maintenance, and close monitoring are key to protecting your reputation and ensuring compliance with health regulations.
Why wait for pests to make a bad impression? Contact Orkin today to learn how our customized commercial pest control solutions can help keep your guests and hotel protected.
More Hospitality Resources
How Hotel Staff Can Help with Bed Bug Prevention
Hotel staff play a key role in spotting early signs of bed bugs and preventing infestations. Learn practical steps to keep guests comfortable.
Bed Bug Checklists for Your Workplace
Bed bugs hide in office furniture, break rooms, and shared spaces. Learn how to check for signs early and prevent workplace infestations.
Integrated Pest Management helps keep pests out by reducing food, water, and shelter sources. Learn summer strategies to protect your business.