6 Ways To Help Prevent Bed Bug Infestations At Your Office Property

Key Takeaways

• How they get in: Bed bugs hitchhike into offices on employee and visitor belongings like coats and bags.

• Where they hide: Common hiding spots include desk chairs, cubicle partitions, break room furniture and behind baseboards.

• How to stop them: Help prevent disruptions by using the A-C-T-I-O-N method (Awareness, Communication, Training, Inspection, Openness and Notification).

• What to do: If you suspect bed bugs, report sightings immediately and contact an Orkin Pro for a professional inspection and treatment plan.

Did you know bed bugs are showing up for work? Bed bugs may not clock in every morning, but they can still create major problems for office properties. These hitchhiking pests can arrive on employee belongings, visitor bags or business travelers and quickly become a concern for tenants, facility managers and HR teams. Early detection and a proactive prevention plan can help reduce disruption and protect your workplace.

How do bed bugs get into offices?

Bed bugs are the pest world’s best hitchhikers. Since offices generally lack beds, these insects don't naturally develop there. Instead, they are introduced from the outside. They commute to work by catching a ride on personal belongings. Whether it's an employee dealing with an issue at home, or a client visiting straight from the airport, anyone can unknowingly transport bed bugs via laptop bags, purses, coats, and even shoes.

Where do bed bugs hide in an office?

Bed bugs are experts at staying out of sight. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean they’re out of your office. They prefer to stay close to their food source while remaining completely hidden. If they make it into your building, they typically seek shelter in:

• The seams and folds of office chairs and lobby furniture

• Cubicle partitions and fabric wall dividers

• Behind electrical outlets, baseboards, and artwork

• Employee lockers, break rooms, and coat closets

Bed Bug Prevention for the Office

Make sure you aren’t asleep on the job when bed bugs enter your office. Take these A-C-T-I-O-N steps to help protect your property.

Awareness

Keep an eye out —one in 10 office managers has experienced bed bugs at a commercial property. These pests can sometimes even be seen in offices during the day and are frequently introduced by business travelers and apartment dwellers.

Communication

Educate your tenants about where you can typically find bed bugs in the office, such as office chairs, lounge/lobby furniture, desks, walls/cubicle dividers and behind artwork. Also, make sure they know your bed bug policy, including responsibility for notification and remediation.

Training

Consult your pest management provider about training tenants, maintenance professionals, cleaning crews and other building staff about bed bugs. The staff training could include a demonstration of a bed bug inspection routine that tenants can do on their own, and tips for helping prevent bed bugs while away from the office.

Inspection

Encourage routine inspections of your office buildings for bed bugs. During inspections, you should look for live bed bugs in any stage, cast off skins, and dark, inky stains that are known as fecal smears.

Openness

While bed bug presence is not an indication of cleanliness standards, many are embarrassed to admit there is an issue. Urge your tenants to establish a reporting protocol with their HR manager to address the problem early, and be available to connect tenants with your pest management provider to answer questions.

Notification

If bed bugs are detected, notify your pest management provider immediately. Do not move any of the items infested with bed bugs, as that can result in further infestation, and notify your tenants of the situation and treatment protocol recommended by your provider.

Commercial Bed Bug Control You Can Trust

Bed bugs can disrupt operations and damage your reputation, but you don’t have to fight them alone. Orkin offers customized, commercial bed bug treatments designed to help protect your employees and your bottom line.

Ready to fortify your office property against bed bugs? Contact Orkin today for a free bed bug inspection and customized bed bug solutions that help protect your tenants and employees, your reputation and your bottom line. Don't wait for bed bugs to become a bigger problem — take charge with Orkin's bed bug services now.

Bed Bug Management in Offices FAQs

Can bed bugs infest an office building?

Yes, bed bugs can become an issue in office buildings even without beds present. They’re often introduced on employee belongings, visitor items, or luggage from business travel, and can settle into furniture and shared spaces. Addressing a potential issue early can help prevent it from spreading further within the workplace.

What is the most effective way to remove bed bugs from an office?

The best approach is to act quickly and work with a pest management professional. Avoid moving suspected items, as this can spread bed bugs to other areas, and report the issue immediately. A pest management provider can then develop a targeted treatment plan to help eliminate the problem and reduce further risk.

How do I know if my office has bed bugs?

Bed bugs can be difficult to spot, but there are key signs to watch for, including live insects, shed skins, small white eggs, or dark spotting on furniture and surfaces. Staying aware of these indicators can help your team identify a potential issue early. Early detection is important to help minimize disruption and limit spread.

How can we prevent bed bugs from spreading in the workplace?

Prevention starts with awareness, communication, and a clear process in place. Encourage employees to report concerns promptly and provide guidance on where bed bugs may be found in an office setting. Routine inspections and support from a pest management provider can also help reduce the risk of spread.

What should a business do if an employee reports bed bugs at work?

Take the report seriously and respond in a timely manner. Limit disturbance to the area, notify your pest management provider, and arrange for an inspection as soon as possible. Clear communication and a defined response plan can help protect your employees while minimizing operational impact.

More Bed Bug Resources

Pest of the Quarter: Bed Bugs

As colder weather sets in, bed bugs are more likely to move inside, making routine inspections and early action especially important for businesses.

Bed Bug Introductions vs. Infestations

Introductions happen when bed bugs are carried inside on luggage or personal items, but infestations develop when all life stages are present and populations grow quickly.

An Introduction to Bed Bugs in the Workplace

Bed bugs can enter workplaces through employees, visitors, or travel and quickly cause disruptions, reputational concerns, and tenant complaints if not addressed early.