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Hotels are the main focus of spread of bed bugs
Bed bugs are a very old pest that has affected humans for centuries. In Europe, the pest was controlled for decades thanks to aggressive fumigation plans carried out in the 1940s and 1950s. However, currently hotels are the main focus of expansion of Bed Bugs.
However, the small populations that resisted these extermination campaigns re-emerged with force from the end of the 20th century, managing to expand on a global scale in all developed countries.
Today, cases of bed bug infections are becoming more frequent. This problem is especially difficult in the hospitality industry, as a single bed bug incident can jeopardize the reputation of an entire hotel chain.
However, the small populations that resisted these extermination campaigns re-emerged with force from the end of the 20th century, managing to expand on a global scale in all developed countries.
Today, cases of bed bug infections are becoming more frequent. This problem is especially difficult in the hospitality industry, as a single bed bug incident can jeopardize the reputation of an entire hotel chain.
Bedbugs can be found in the best hotels
Regardless of its category, any hotel can suffer from a bed bug infection, since its presence is not related to the order or hygiene of the affected places.
In addition, one of the main routes of introduction of these parasites is traveling from stowaways in clothes, shoes, bags or other transport utensils.
Consequently, hotels and other accommodations are very susceptible to a bed bug infestation, as many guests from different parts of the world are staying every day who can potentially bring the plague with them. In this context, the best prevention is early detection of the problem.
In addition, one of the main routes of introduction of these parasites is traveling from stowaways in clothes, shoes, bags or other transport utensils.
Consequently, hotels and other accommodations are very susceptible to a bed bug infestation, as many guests from different parts of the world are staying every day who can potentially bring the plague with them. In this context, the best prevention is early detection of the problem.
How to detect the presence of Bed Bugs in a Hotel
The best way to achieve such detection in a hotel is by involving all employees to be alert to any symptoms of infection. For this, each and every one of the employees, from reception staff to maintenance employees, must have specific knowledge about bed bugs: what they are, how they are identified, where they are, what signs reveal their presence, etc. .
In order to receive such training, it is highly advisable to contact a pest control company specialized in bed bugs. At Anticimex we offer complete training on bed bugs to hotel staff so that the problem is detected in time.
In order to receive such training, it is highly advisable to contact a pest control company specialized in bed bugs. At Anticimex we offer complete training on bed bugs to hotel staff so that the problem is detected in time.
What to do if a hotel room is infested by Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are insects with a great capacity to hide. Furthermore, the fact that their activity is basically nocturnal implies that it is very difficult to observe adult or juvenile individuals during the day. This means that an infection can go unnoticed for weeks or months until a complaint is made by a guest, or until a hotel worker notices its presence.
When this happens, and regardless of whether or not it is a bed bug infestation, the most important thing is to keep the room out of service. Until expert pest control technicians can inspect the room and identify the problem, it is imperative that you do not move anything from the room to the outside, or introduce anything from the outside in.
If you want to remove furniture or other objects infected by bed bugs, they should always be superficially treated with an insecticide (treatment that must be carried out by a pest control company) and then packaged in plastic bags before leaving the room. In this way, unwanted dispersal of bed bugs in hallways or elevators is avoided.
Similarly, all rooms adjacent to the suspected infested room should be kept out of service and carefully inspected. Bed bugs can easily move from room to room through small holes or cracks in the walls. A recent study showed that about 20% of the time the rooms adjacent to an infested room are also infested, and 5-7% of the time the rooms below and above the infested room are also infested.
And last and foremost, it should be avoided that hotel employees try to end the bed bug infestation by themselves, since in Spain only authorized companies can carry out biocidal pest treatments.
When this happens, and regardless of whether or not it is a bed bug infestation, the most important thing is to keep the room out of service. Until expert pest control technicians can inspect the room and identify the problem, it is imperative that you do not move anything from the room to the outside, or introduce anything from the outside in.
If you want to remove furniture or other objects infected by bed bugs, they should always be superficially treated with an insecticide (treatment that must be carried out by a pest control company) and then packaged in plastic bags before leaving the room. In this way, unwanted dispersal of bed bugs in hallways or elevators is avoided.
Similarly, all rooms adjacent to the suspected infested room should be kept out of service and carefully inspected. Bed bugs can easily move from room to room through small holes or cracks in the walls. A recent study showed that about 20% of the time the rooms adjacent to an infested room are also infested, and 5-7% of the time the rooms below and above the infested room are also infested.
And last and foremost, it should be avoided that hotel employees try to end the bed bug infestation by themselves, since in Spain only authorized companies can carry out biocidal pest treatments.
Employee areas can also suffer from the presence of Bed Bugs
Guests are not the only source of bed bug introduction into a hotel. Employees can also accidentally introduce these parasites into the establishment. Therefore, it is very important that all areas for employees present in the hotel are inspected daily. Also, maintaining order and cleanliness in these areas can prevent the formation of bed bug shelters, and their potential growth and dispersal to other areas of the building.