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Mr. Meek

Security & Safety

Bed Bugs: New Issues, Same Old Foe

By Frank Meek, International Technical & Training Director, Orkin, LLC

Hospitality Industry to Remain Proactive and Focused

With guests coming and going, bed bugs continue to plague hotel owners and, unfortunately, their guests. Consumers are more educated about the issue than ever before, and with online blogs and guest reviews, news and bad word-of-mouth can spread as quickly as an actual infestation. Therefore, it’s critical that you and your staff continue to stay ahead of the issue and work together with your pest management professional to help keep bed bugs at bay in your establishment.

Bed Bugs’ Appearance and Behavior

Bed bugs are flat, tiny insects – about the size of an apple seed – and are light tan to brown in color. After they feed, they turn a reddish brown color. Bed bugs prefer to reside close to their hosts (humans), and during the day, disappear into cracks and crevices behind picture frames, bed frames, baseboards and other areas.

Bed bugs are almost always introduced into a hotel setting by human activity. Great “hitchhikers,” they can travel from place to place with people’s luggage or personal belongings. Once inside, bed bugs can spread quickly from room to room on furniture or even on housekeeping equipment. So what does this mean for you? The good news is there is no proof that bed bugs can spread disease, so there is not a direct health risk for your employees or guests. For a hotel, the potential threats from a bed bug infestation are negative word-of-mouth, a tarnished reputation and decreased revenue.

Why the Resurgence?

A combination of factors is thought to have contributed to bed bugs’ resurgence. In the past, broad-spectrum pesticides used in pest control may have controlled bed bugs indirectly while controlling other pests. Today, pesticides and treatment protocols are more pest-specific, so bed bugs haven’t been “incidentally controlled” and have had an opportunity to rebound. Coupled with this, the past couple of decades have seen a huge increase in global travel. Given bed bugs’ excellent hitchhiking skills and their prevalence in many parts of the world, this pest has spread much faster.

True Prevention Not Possible Yet

Unfortunately, bed bugs cannot be prevented effectively because they can be brought into a hotel at any time with someone’s personal belongings. One common misconception is that having bed bugs at your establishment has something to do with its cleanliness. But the fact is cleanliness has nothing to do with the problem, and even “five star” resorts are at risk. In the absence of true prevention options, early detection is critical. Consider asking your pest management professional to conduct regular bed bug inspections and work with your housekeeping staff so they know what signs to look for.

Spotting the Signs

Because bed bugs typically hide during the day, it can be difficult to spot them. Here are a few tips for identifying bed bugs:

  • Bed bugs can leave behind tiny, rust-colored stains on mattress tags and seams, ceilings, under seat cushions and behind headboards.
  • Work with your maintenance department to look for potential hiding places (buckling carpet, wallpaper, cracks in baseboards or walls, etc.).
  • Look for live or dead bed bugs and/or cast skins.

If you find evidence of bed bugs, make sure to leave the room untouched, and do not take any items out of the room. The room should immediately be taken out of service and quarantined. Contact your pest management professional immediately to inspect the room in question and confirm the infestation.

Preparing a Room for Service

If your pest management professional’s inspection confirms bed bugs, he or she may ask you to help prepare the room for service. This could include:

  • Pulling furniture into the center of the room
  • Turning all furniture over
  • Loosening carpet around the perimeter of the room
  • Taking down any items attached to walls

Make sure to involve your housekeeping and facility maintenance staff as needed to help with any required preparations.

Bed Bug Service Options

The best bed bug programs incorporate early detection services including regular visual inspections. Some pest management companies even use DNA testing to determine if there is – or ever has been – a bed bug infestation in your establishment. In addition, bed bug sniffing dogs are being used more frequently to literally “sniff out” bed bug infestations. Other services your pest management professional may discuss with you include heat treatment (heating the infested area to a high temperature to kill bed bugs) and encasements to protect beds and box springs from infestations.

Staff Training

When it comes to bed bugs, a team approach is best. Your pest management professional should offer training for your staff so everyone can help keep an eye out for this problematic pest.

For more bed bug information for your housekeeping staff, download Bed Bugs 101: A Hospitality Professional’s Guide to Recognition and Prevention on the Orkin University section of orkincommercial.com. The resource is available in English, Spanish, Russian and Hindi.

What the Hotel Industry Needs to Know About Bed Bugs - Key Takeaways from the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show

At the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show this past November, industry representatives held a panel discussion about bed bug research, treatments and technology. Following are the top three takeaways from the conference, in case you missed it.

1. The pest management industry is hard at work on new technology for bed bugs.

  • Heat is being used in some areas and considered an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical treatments.
  • Carbon dioxide monitors, which mimic a sleeping person, are also being developed and used in some areas to attract – and trap – bed bugs.
  • DNA is being used as an intervention resource to help identify problems early.

2. Litigation continues to be the elephant in the room when it comes to bed bugs.

  • Knowingly reserving a bed bug-infested room can lead to punitive damages, and once in court, the jury tends to side with the bed bug victim.
  • It’s critical to have a bed bug policy in place and have open communication with employees and guests.
  • Document any actions you take when it comes to bed bugs or other pests.

3. Media coverage is on the rise when it comes to bed bugs.

  • Bed bugs continue to be darlings of the media. Negative coverage about your establishment can quickly put your reputation at risk. Conversely, the hope is that more consumers are becoming educated on the subject, which may help hoteliers control bed bug problems in the future.

An industry veteran, Frank Meek has been with Orkin since 1986. In 2003, he was named among the future leaders of the pest management industry in Pest Control Technology magazine’s “40 Under 40” ranking. Currently, as the International Technical and Training Director, Mr. Meek provides technical support and training in both sales and service to Orkin's international franchises, helping them grow and develop in their specific markets. As a board-certified entomologist, Mr. Meek teaches Integrated Pest Management principles and can explain how to use all available methodologies to prevent pest infestations in various commercial settings. Mr. Meek can be contacted at 404-888-2898 or fmeek@rollinscorp.com Extended Bio...

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