Spring break season is upon us and if your hotel is in a popular location for eager vacationers, you know you're expecting a high volume of guests in a short period of time. But nothing will send your patrons packing for another place to stay faster than a bed-bug infestation.
Just a couple of years ago however, USA Today reported that the National Pest Management Association had found unusually high infestations of bed bugs across the country. What were hotel doing wrong? Hospitality managers don't just have a duty to protect their customers from these unsanitary pests, but they actually have a legal obligation. Several states, including: California, Minnesota, Nevada and South Dakota have enforced legislation enforcing hotels to keep a clean shop. Bed bug bites can actually cause serious infections and rashes plus in serious cases, bites can create psychological effects, said the source. That being said, you don't need a law to tell you keeping your establishment pest-free.
As bed bugs in hotels aren't your ideal guests, here's what you can do to keep them out:
How are they getting in?
The first thing you need to understand is how these pests enter your premises in the first place. Bed bugs sneak in via your guests. No one ever brings them in intentionally, but these insects tend to cling to clothing, luggage or any personal belongings excited spring breakers bring with them to your grounds, reported Minnesota Department of Health. The source admitted that there is no fool-proof way to keep bed bugs out of your establishment. Unfortunately, there aren't any pesticides that can detect and zap them before they enter.
Dealing with bed bugs.
Should you become aware that bed bugs have infested your hotel, you'll need to act fast to get rid of them. MDH explained that it's incredibly important for hotel staff to be trained on how to recognize signs of bed bugs, especially those who handle luggage or linens. Stopping a bed-bug break out starts early. A careful inspection should happen every time a bedroom and bathroom is clean. The source said you can look for the following signs:
The staff should also be periodically checking behind head boards or any cracks and crevices in the bedrooms. During the cleaning process, dirty linens should be kept far from clean ones and placed in plastic bags. If there are signs of bedbugs MDH said to follow this procedure:
Larger non-washable items will pose a problem for you but you need to disinfect everything otherwise you risk another infestation. At this point you'll need professional bed bug removal, and should hire your local pest control service
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.
