3 Steps to Prevent Bedbug Problems in Your Hotel
As society has become more transient, the numbers of bedbug reports have grown to an overwhelming and alarming number. A single report of bedbugs can leave an ugly stain on the reputation of your hospitality business. Unfortunately, 93 percent of pest control professionals report that they've treated a hotel or motel where these pests are found.
You're in the business of giving guests a good night of sleep, so bedbugs are likely a primary concern. With so many random travelers stopping in for an overnight stay, it can seem like an impossible feat to control what stowaways come in with them. However, you can take a few measures to prevent these blood-sucking pests from setting up shop in your place of business.
Ensure Employees Are Properly Trained
Regular monitoring is the key to prevent bedbugs in your place of business, but even monitoring can require some work. The more eyes you have watching for signs of a problem, the more likely it is that you will be to tackle a situation quickly. Therefore, staff training and education is necessary. Your employees should know:
- How to properly collect bedding to prevent bedbugs from spreading
- How to spot signs of bedbugs on the bedding
- What bedbugs, bedbug eggs, and bedbug nymphs look like
- What to do if a bedbug is spotted
- Where to look for bedbugs in a room
Set up an ongoing training plan for your staff members, and make sure they are consistently following proper procedures during housekeeping, laundering and other services.
Provide Sealable Laundry and Luggage Bags for Guests
Your primary threat of bedbugs comes with the items the people who stay in your establishment carry with them. Bedbugs are sneaky travelers and hide well in the seams of a piece of luggage or in the pockets of a pair of jeans. Therefore, adding a layer of protection around these items can help to combat a problem if a guest brings bedbugs in.
Offer sealable luggage and laundry bags in every hotel room for the guests to use. Guests who are knowledgeable about bedbugs will know that this is a good way for them to protect their own belongings just in case there are bedbugs in their room. This complimentary supply offers protection for your place of business too.
Create a Working Relationship With a Commercial Pest Control Company
Many hotel owners view bedbugs as a problem that can only be treated after there is a problem, but an issue can be contained before it is ever a problem through certain measures. Professional pest control agencies that specialize in commercial service can usually offer a plan to help you prevent bedbug problems. For example, they may:
- Give you professional insight that can be used to train your employees
- Offer bedbug traps that can be used in inconspicuous areas around a hotel room
- Provide you with bedbug proof mattress protection that is industry worthy
- Use preventative treatment products and pesticides to discourage bedbugs
Building a good relationship with a pest control agency is something you should do in the hotel business even before there is a problem. Doing so could be the difference that prevents a major infestation from ever occurring.
When the customers that come to your place of business want a clean bed in a safe environment for the night, bedbugs can shatter their faith in you as a service provider. If you would like to know more about bedbug prevention in your hotel,
contact us at Area-Wide Exterminators for professional assistance. We would be happy to help you create a plan to prevent these pests from ever becoming a problem for your hotel or your guests.
