Effective Eco-Friendly Ways for Hotels to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Any kind of pests are a threat to the reputation of your hotel. However, bed bugs are some of the most stubborn pests and are a major challenge to hotel owners everywhere. These persistent pests can find their way into the hotel from literally anywhere. Remember, an early inspection is instrumental in eliminating a bed bug infestation effectively.

How to find Bed Bugs?

A visual inspection is rarely reliable in case of a bed bug infestation. You can easily mistake them for carpet bugs or summer bugs and chances are that they may have spread throughout your property by the time they are identified correctly. Only professional pest control expert can determine whether or not your hotel is infested with bed bugs with a visual inspection. Even though, you can look out for the following signs to identify the presence of bed bugs.

• Stains on the bed sheets or mattresses which are reddish or rust-coloured and resemble dried blood. These may occur if the bed bugs are crushed during feeding or if they had recently fed.
• Tiny eggshells or eggs in the bedding and the skins shed by the nymphs while they grow. The eggs are approximately 1mm in size and the skins cast off by the nymphs are generally of a tan shade or pale yellow in colour.
• Clusters of tiny dark spots which smear when wiped with a wet rag similarly the way markers do. These clusters are faecal matter and are usually black or dark brown in colour instead of red as they are basically digested blood.
• Live bed bugs which are flat, oval-shaped and wingless creatures. They are generally brown in colour but may seem reddish if they have recently fed. Nymphs are smaller and paler while the adults are 4 to 5 mm in size by the time they are fully grown.

How to Eliminate Bed Bugs with Eco-Friendly Treatment Options?

Let’s look at some of the effective eco-friendly ways in which you can get rid of a bed bug infestation.

1. Vacuuming – This is one of the simplest and the most effective option to get rid of bed bugs. These pests are visible to naked eye and hence can be easily removed by thorough vacuuming. Carefully vacuum clean all the headboards, seams and other potential hiding places. These pests usually hide within 5 feet of the bed. Once vacuuming is done, check all the vacuum brushes used and ensure that not bed bugs are caught in the roller. Before disposing the vacuum bag, remove it and keep it in a securely sealed bag.
2. Freezing – Bed bugs cannot handle extremely chilled weather. So keep the bedding, pillow and the bed covers in extreme cold for at least 48-72 hours. Professionals prefer using carbon dioxide under pressure to immediately eliminate bed bugs and their eggs. This method is comparatively non-chemical, safe and non-toxic.
3. Natural Sprays with Multiple Ingredients – These sprays either use essential oils or a combination of multiple natural ingredients. For instance, a tea tree oil spray comprises 20 drops of tea tree oil mixed with water and a lavender oil bed bug spray includes 30 to 40 drops of lavender oil mixed with 1.5 ounces of water. It should be kept in mind that tea tree oil is toxic and hence should be kept away from children and pets, especially cats.
4. Steam Heat – This method cannot be employed directly on the bed. Hence, remove all the bedding items and covers and then send them for steam wash. This will help you get rid of not only the bed bugs but also their larvae, pupa and other small bugs.

To ensure that your hotel remains free from bed bug infestation, ensure that you carry out regular inspection. If you detect signs of infestation, it is best to call in the pest control professionals. Their expertise and experience can give you effective results quickly and without any hassles.

Author Bio:

When people find their homes and offices infested with pests, it is not uncommon for them to panic. Raymond Web has taken upon him the task to educate people on pest prevention and control strategies helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe and pest-free. Being the digital marketing manager for Take Care Termite and Pest Control, in Tracy, CA, he has in-depth understanding of people and their pain points due to pests, which he efficiently uses in his content to educate people and add value to their lives.