Bed bugs are a growing issue for both travelers and the hospitality industry. Damascus, Maryland is a peaceful town, but still draws in plenty of business and leisure travelers to stay in its hotels and B&Bs, and proactive bed bug prevention is an important part for maintaining a clean, comfortable establishment. These tiny vampires can ruin a houseguest’s stay in record time.
That said, there are some ways that hotel staff and management in Damascus can prevent the spread of bed bugs and maintain some level of guest satisfaction. Find out more in this article where we discuss strategies for preventing bed bugs in hotels and motels.
Understanding the risks of bed bugs in hospitality
Bed bugs are also accomplished hitch-hikers. They hitch rides on luggage, clothing and other personal items, with hotels a perfect mark. Not even a luxury establishment is safe by itself—just because it’s clean doesn’t mean it’s free from the bugs. In Damascus, near several travel arteries serving the region and the tourist destinations of Montgomery County, out-of-towners who have come and gone in the 24 hours before symptoms appeared means the possibility of accidental introductions is especially high.
Once indoors, bed bugs can stick to mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and even furniture joints. They come out at night to feed, and can leave behind itchy welts and spots of blood on linens. Bed bugs reproduce at a fast rate and early detection and prevention is key.
Educate Personnel on Early Identification
The best prophylaxis is staff education. Housekeeping and maintenance staff should be educated to recognize early indications of bed bugs, such as:
- Stains that are rusty in color (on bedsheets and mattresses)
- Small, dark fecal spots
- Molted skins or eggs in mattress seams or headboards
- Live or dead bugs (they’re roughly apple seed-sized)
Workers need to report signs they think are of a bedbug infestation at the earliest opportunity, so that pest control experts can act before the problem becomes unmanageable.
Inspect Rooms Regularly
You must have regular checks. Managers of hotels in Damascus should consider inspection of all guest rooms at regular intervals–at least weekly or bi-weekly, especially high-turnover rooms. Use flashlights and magnifying glasses to examine:
- Mattresses and box springs seams
- Behind and under headboards
- Upholstered furniture
- Baseboards and outlets
- Luggage racks
Inspections should also be conducted any time a guest reports bites or discomfort, or if staff suspects a problem.
Use Protective Encasements
Purchase bed bug proof encasements for all mattresses and box springs. These zipped covers trap any present insects and prevent new ones from entering or escaping. And by doing away with seams and crevices where bugs can take cover, they also make cleaning simpler. Good encasements are waterproof and breathable and ought to be examined for tears regularly.
Set up a Guest Communication Workflow
Guests should be urged to report any sightings or bites as soon as they occur. Establish and implement an organized and subtle response system for front desk personnel to use. This should include moving the guest to a different room, writing the complaint up and calling a licensed pest control provider to come and inspect and treat the room as soon as possible. Dealing sympathetically and professionally with these scenarios will safeguard your hotel’s name.
Hire a Professional Exterminator to Team Up With
The most comprehensive prevention plan still requires professional pest control services. Damascus hotels need to have an ongoing relationship with a licensed pest control firm that treats for bed bugs. These practitioners can perform regular exterminations and apply heat and chemical treatments while offering advice on the safest way to make sure they never return.
Bed bugs pose a severe threat to the hospitality industry; however, with diligence and proactive measures, hotels and inns in Damascus, MD can be a step ahead of the problem. From training staff and room inspection, to protective encasements and collaboration with pest control professionals, these steps help to keep every guest safe, secure, clean and free of bed bugs. Protecting your hotel’s reputation all begins with making pest prevention a priority.
