Where Do Bedbugs Come from and How Can You Get Rid of Them?

In the hospitality industry, bedbugs can be a devastating blow to business. Whether you are a 5-star facility or a rustic hostel, no guest is going to want to use your services if he or she wakes up in the morning to find red, itchy welts all over his or her body. They certainly won’t recommend your business to their friends. It only takes one case of bedbugs to do serious damage to your reputation, so it is critical to take the necessary precautions to keep them out of your guests’ beds. 

Bedbugs are small, reddish bugs that are typically around the size of an apple seed. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas and tend to hide in furniture crevices as well as baseboards near beds. Bed bugs will feed on any warm-blooded animal, including humans. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide and warmth that humans emit, so that’s why they camp near or in our beds. Keep in mind that bedbugs are not necessarily associated with poor sanitation. Even the cleanest of facilities could become a haven for bedbugs, as these pests are apt hitchhikers and can easily travel from one place to another via suitcases and backpacks. Luckily, you can get rid of bedbugs with some smart cleanup and professional help. Be sure to take the following tips into consideration.

Invest in quality mattress encasements

High-quality mattress encasements can help prevent a bedbug outbreak from spreading and can help prevent a bedbug infestation in the first place. However, you will need to treat all mattresses in rooms that have been infected. Scrub the mattresses with a stiff brush to remove any bugs or eggs, and then store the mattresses in zippered plastic covers for at least one year before using them again. Remember, adult bedbugs can survive for up to one year without food, so you will need to wait longer than that to ensure that you’ve killed every last one of them.

Wash all fabrics

If there has been an incidence of bedbugs in one of your rooms, you will want to wash any material in the room that can be washed, including bedding, curtains, rugs, towels, and bathrobes. Wash these in the hottest possible water, and dry them on the highest possible setting (without damaging them) in order to kill any live bugs.

Vacuum your mattresses

Use a heavy-duty HEPA vacuum to vacuum all mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and carpet. Make sure you discard the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag before bringing the vacuum into another room to avoid spreading the bedbugs.

Call in a professional

Any time you are dealing with bed bugs, don’t hesitate to call in a professional. When it comes to your business’s reputation and bottom line, it is better to to act quickly and decisively. Pest control professionals can help you remove bed bugs in a quick and efficient manner, and help you set up a prevention program.

JP Pest Services is dedicated to solving your commercial pest problems. Our pest control professionals understand the regulations and requirements of many different industries. Request your free consultation today for a thorough examination of your business location and a custom pest control plan!