Hotel guests weren't the only ones enjoying the unusually mild temperatures this past winter. The warm weather allowed pests to thrive throughout the season, and with such a low pest mortality rate over the last few months, summer is sure to bring even more pest infestations than usual. To keep pests out this spring, take advantage of your hotel's sanitation program as a pest prevention tool.

Pests require food, water, shelter and optimal temperatures to survive, and hotels supply all four of these necessities in abundance. From ice machines leaking plentiful moisture to room service and 24-hour food sources, hotels offer environments ripe for pest infestations. At the same time, the hospitality industry faces the challenge of choosing pest management treatments that successfully manage infestations without threatening the health and safety of sensitive guests.

As part of an ongoing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, effective sanitation helps remove the elements that attract and sustain pests - food, water and shelter. Although pests can be found throughout a hotel, they most commonly appear in a few "hot spots." By focusing on guestrooms, food service zones, pool areas, lobbies and entrances, laundry rooms, and waste areas, hotels can prevent major problems quickly and cost-effectively. ...