No place is immune from a bed bug infestation, but with travelers coming to New York City from every corner of the earth most days, city health officials have learned a thing or two about responding to a bed bug crisis.
That's why the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a detailed plan for dealing with lodgings that experience bed bug emergencies. Not only does the city have to be concerned about the insects coming in with luggage and clothing of people from near and far, but of how hotels handle instances when guests find bugs in the rooms they're occupying.
The lengthy list of steps that hotels should take in pest management include thorough inspections, removal and washing of all linens and removable fabrics from the room, extensive vacuuming and sealing of cracks where bugs may enter the premises. Mattresses are thoroughly scrubbed, then removed in plastic wrapping and placed in storage for one year before they may be used again.
Licensed pest control services are hired to fumigate the rooms that are affected. Once all steps have been taken to eradicate the insects, staff reinspects the room for any signs that the bugs may remain.
Preventing bed bugs from returning will only be as good as the training that hospitality workers receive to discover and report outbreaks as they happen. Hotel personnel have to be educated to recognize signs that bed bugs could be present, including the feces they leave behind, and be able to identify the insects by their size, shape and color.
Many companies take advantage of free training by companies like Abell Pest Control so that staff members will learn to inspect bed bug-prone areas in rooms and can raise an alert if any of these pests are spotted. A visual inspection for bed bugs should be done as part of the housekeeping staff's daily routine every time a room is cleaned and turned over to new guests.
Although housekeeping workers are the ones who spend the most time in hotel rooms, staff from other departments should receive the same training so rooms can be checked efficiently and acted upon immediately if any bugs are discovered.
Ultimately, it falls to hotel management teams to create a response plan when guests discover bed bugs in their rooms. Responding quickly not only addresses the problem without delay, but puts guests at ease that everything is being done to find them safe lodgings elsewhere in the facility.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
