In honor of Bed Bug Awareness Week, June 1-7, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is aiming to support the hotel and lodging industry in safeguarding guest experiences through proactive bed bug inspection and prevention strategies.
Bed bugs remain a persistent concern in lodging facilities, and early detection is critical to preventing infestations that can damage a hotel’s reputation and lead to costly remediation. To help facilities managers and other stakeholders stay ahead of this challenge, the NPMA recommends the following expert tips:
- Schedule regular bed bug inspections of all rooms and public areas by a pest management professional.
- Housekeeping staff should inspect for evidence of bed bugs during every room service, and maintenance staff should remove and check behind headboards and under box springs periodically.
- Follow proper laundry handling practices to reduce the risk of spreading bed bugs, including keeping clean and dirty laundry separate and ensuring all carts remain in the hallway during room service.
- Eliminate hiding places such as peeling wallpaper and paint, cracks and holes in walls and floors, crevices around headboards and along baseboards and molding, as well as around heating and A/C units.
- Vacuum rooms thoroughly, including items that are often overlooked such as drapes, behind pictures, and underneath furniture.
- Consider ways to make bed bugs easier to detect when redesigning guest rooms, such as white bedding, fewer fabrics, and less clutter.
- Avoid used or reconditioned furniture and furnishings, including antiques, when designing the room. If you do bring second-hand furniture into your building, be sure to have all items inspected and disinfested before installation.
- If bed bugs are found, take proper precautions when removing furniture from the room such as wrapping the mattress, box spring, and furniture in plastic and sealing them to avoid dropping bed bugs or their eggs while transporting items out of the building.
For more information on bed bugs and prevention tips for various settings, click here.