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The Difference Between Bed Bug Introductions and Infestations

Working in the hospitality industry, you know that bed bugs are not a rare occurrence, and there’s no way to stop these nighttime menaces from hitchhiking through your doors. To help avoid costly bed bug remediation, it’s important to detect bed bugs early. One crucial thing to understand as you prepare to send bed bugs packing is the difference between a bed bug introduction and a bed bug infestation.

What Is Bed Bug Introduction?

Bed bug introductions occur when one or more bed bugs get inside your hotel. Unfortunately, you cannot prevent introductions. Bed bugs are not a sign of poor sanitation because they can be brought inside by anyone — from guests and staff to vendors or other visitors — as they catch a ride on clothing or luggage. During an introduction, bed bugs haven’t started reproducing yet, but they could soon.

What Is Bed Bug Infestation?

Bed bug infestations develop when all bed bug life stages are present, including bed bug eggs, nymphs and adults. If you have a bed bug infestation, the bloodsuckers are actively reproducing. Female bed bugs can lay up to five eggs a day, so bed bug populations can grow exponentially if left unaddressed.

What Are the Signs of Bed Bugs to Look For?

Bed bug eggs can be hard to spot. Each egg is white and about the size of two grains of salt. They can often be found in tight cracks or crevices.
Newly hatched nymphs are about the size of a pinhead and are white or tan before beginning to feed.
Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and reddish brown in color. They leave behind ink-like stains, as well as their cast skins.

How You Can Catch a Bed Bug Introduction Early

To identify a bed bug problem, you and your staff need to know the signs of bed bug activity:

Conduct regular inspections of high-risk areas like guest rooms and lounges to detect bed bugs early. Inspect mattress seams, the corners of box springs, buckling wallpaper, the edge of carpet, behind pictures, under seat cushions and behind headboards.
Place bed bug monitoring devices in high-risk areas to detect the presence of bed bugs early before they spread.
Invest in staff education to ensure they are fully informed on bed bug signs and know what to look for when conducting regular inspections. Develop a protocol for staff to report potential bed bug sightings immediately.

By incorporating regular inspections and staff education, you increase the likelihood of catching bed bug introductions early and avoiding infestations.

Addressing Bed Bug Infestations

Bed bug infestations are more than a nuisance, they are a persistent threat that can grow rapidly if not addressed quickly. Understanding the life cycle of bed bugs is key to controlling them:

Eggs: Female bed bugs lay 1-5 eggs per day, which can hatch within 1-2 weeks.
Nymphs: These immature bed bugs require five blood meals to molt and progress through five developmental stages.
Adults: Once mature, they can live for several months, continuously reproducing and feeding.

Given this rapid life cycle, infestations can escalate from a few stray bed bugs to a full-scale infestation in a matter of weeks. That's why it's critical to:

Act Immediately. As soon as you notice signs of bed bugs, contact professional pest management services like Orkin for an assessment.
Apply Targeted Treatments. Our experts use a combination of methods tailored to your situation, including heat treatments and insecticides, to help eliminate bed bugs at every stage of life.
Prevent Reinfestation. After treatment, proactive measures — like encasements for mattresses and box springs, and interceptors for bed legs — can help prevent bed bugs from taking hold again.

Reduce Costs with Professional Bed Bug Management

Even after a staff training, there could be signs of bed bug activity that your staff doesn’t see. A trained bed bug expert can spot evidence that your staff may miss. Discuss proactive bed bug services for your hotel with your pest management provider to stay one step ahead in the ongoing fight against bed bugs. The extra investment could help catch infestations early, lowering the cost of remediation — and mitigating the damage to your bottom line.

Ready to fortify your hotel against bed bugs? Contact Orkin today for a free bed bug inspection and customized bed bug solutions that help protect your guests, 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.