Hospitality and bed bugs
As international travel continues to grow, it is impossible for hospitality and tourism establishments to become completely immune from bed bug infestations.
For hospitality, the situation is fairly grim. A survey from 2016 found that more than 80% of hotels were treated for bed bugs in the past year, with an average cost (treatment and loss of room) of $6,383 per event.
As a landlord, the pain from bed bugs can be even greater:
“A civil jury in Alhambra has awarded a Los Angeles family $1.6 million – the biggest payout ever in the United States for a single family in a bedbug case.”
For example, a mark–release–recapture study found that bed bugs can survive in the absence of hosts (empty room or abandoned apartment) for over 100 days and can readily migrate between neighboring apartments or rooms.
What makes a guest change hotels?
How horribly wrong it can go is obvious in these two episodes of Hotel Impossible:
“Hotel Impossible” Waterpark Bug-Out (TV Episode 2017) – IMDb
What do I do about bed bugs in hotels as an owner?
Bed bugs in hotels are common. This is a result of an increased risk when many people pass through a place.
Even if you haven’t had a bed bug infestation yet, it’s only a matter of time.
Proactive efforts and a ready plan to handle affected guests are crucial…
What do I do about bed bugs in hotels as a guest?
At arrival carefully check your room, especially the bed.
Look for dark stains, blood spots or live bed bugs and their remnants on the bed sheets, the mattress-especially its seems, and on other furniture…
Are bed bugs common at Airbnb homestays?
Bed bugs can be present in any accommodation, including Airbnb rentals.
Like hotels and hostels, Airbnb properties experience high turnover of guests, which means there always is a chance that someone unknowingly brings bed bugs with them, leading to an infestation.
Airbnb hosts can help minimize the risk of bed bugs by…
Should I be worried about bed bugs on planes?
Believe it or not, bedbugs can make their way onto your aircraft.
Many travelers live in fear of bed bugs. The small pests are most commonly found in hotel rooms. However, a couple of years ago, visitors to Paris learned that nearly an entire city can become infested. In Paris, bed bugs were stopped everywhere, from movie theatres to the metro…
Protect against bed bugs in hospitality
As international travel grows, hospitality and tourism establishments face an increasing risk of bed bug infestations. A 2016 survey found that over 80% of hotels treated for bed bugs, with each event costing around $6,383 on average. Bed bugs can survive in empty rooms for over 100 days and easily migrate between neighboring rooms. Since signs of bed bugs are a major deterrent for guests, proactive measures are essential.
For hotel hosts, it’s important to have a strategy for managing rumors and negative reviews, particularly on social media. Staff should be trained to detect and report bed bugs early, and customer service should respond empathetically to incidents. As a guest, inspect your room for signs of bed bugs, especially around the bed, and notify staff if you find any evidence, requesting a different room. Avoid placing luggage on the floor or bed.
Bed bugs can also affect Airbnb rentals, as high guest turnover increases the risk of infestations. Hosts can reduce the likelihood of bed bugs by maintaining regular cleaning routines, conducting visual inspections, and using traps. Preparing for complaints and managing negative reviews is key to maintaining guest satisfaction.