A Few Things Every Hotelier Should Know About Bed Bugs
Acquisition Marketing
Nothing will send potential customers packing faster than bed bugs. A recent survey performed at The University of Kentucky showed bed bugs as the number one reason an individual would choose to leave a hotel. In some extreme cases, bed bug infestations even lead to large financial implications such as lawsuits. The unfortunate reality is that the nature of your business comes with the risk of a bed bug infestation. It’s important to remember, a bed bug infestation is not a matter of hygiene or cleanliness. These pests do not discriminate.
Detection IS Prevention
The next thing you need to understand is that there is no way to stop bed bugs from being brought into your hotel. With new guests coming and going every day, there are always new opportunities for these pests to be introduced into your hotel. The best form of prevention is early detection. Your entire staff should be trained on bed bug identification to serve as eyes in the field. If all of your employees are on the lookout for signs of these invaders, you have a much greater chance of catching a small infestation before it gets out of control. Your pest solutions specialists can provide you with information on bed bug identification and provide training.
What an Action Plan Is, and Why You Should Have One
We’ve established that the best thing a hotelier can do is spot a bed bug infestation before it has spread. So, what happens when one of your employees identifies an infestation? An action plan should answer this question. An action plan is a written guideline for internal and external communications, should bed bugs be discovered on your property. It will inform your staff how to address the issue with your guest, what steps to take to avoid spreading the issue and who you should contact. In another article, we’ve outlined some more specifics on what should be covered in your bed bug plan. If you are looking for more information or assistance in creating your bed bug plan, Holder’s Pest Solutions has years of experience and expertise at your disposal.
So You’ve Got Bed Bugs, Now What?
Maybe you’ve found this article while doing some proactive research to build a bed bug or other pest infestation plan for your hotel or other business. But, in the unfortunate case that you’re in the midst of a bed bug infestation, a bit of luck has landed you in the proper hands. Holder’s Pest Solutions has a qualified staff of licensed and certified pest control specialists with years of experience in bed bug removal. Under no circumstance should any employee attempt to treat bed bugs themselves. Using pesticides in hospitality environments without the proper training and certifications could end in disaster and potential lawsuits. The best plan of action if you have been caught off guard by a bed bug infestation is to contact a professional pest management company.
