Bed bug battle: Don’t let them check-in!
With bed bug infestation more common in the warmer months, there is no better time to prepare your accommodation to prevent the likelihood of an infestation
There are few topics more unpleasant for accommodation operators than bed bugs. And with the resurgence of travel, experts believe that bed bug numbers are on the rise.
And with bed bug infestation more common in the warmer months, there is no better time to prepare your accommodation to prevent the likelihood of an infestation ruining your guests’ stay.
“Bed bug numbers are on the rise again after a lull when human travel was reduced with the COVID pandemic,” bed bug expert Stephen Doggett said.
“They are also appearing in more diverse locations, including public transport, libraries, schools, and even prisons.”
Alarmingly, he added that bed bugs are becoming resistant to more classes of insecticides- making them trickier than ever to eliminate.
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As Australia’s bed bug expert, Dr Dogget spoke to AccomNews about common misconceptions about the critters and how accommodation operators can best prepare for success.
“There are a number of common misconceptions about bed bugs, including that they only live in dirty locations. This is false, even five-star hotels are not immune,” he said
“Bed bugs are also becoming less easy to control with insecticide resistance making them very challenging to eliminate.
“As bed bugs are highly resistant, multiple treatments are required.
“Additionally, a follow-up inspection is always required as the insect is so difficult to control. If your pest manager does not include at least one follow-up inspection in their treatment plan, use another company.”
When it comes to preventing bed bugs, Dr Doggett recommends regular inspections of all beds and bedrooms and ensuring all staff are aware of what bed bugs are and what they look like.
Additionally, ensure your accommodation has a bed bug management policy that is regularly updated with current best practice.
Finally, for accommodation operators looking to update their knowledge base, Dr Doggett recommends reading up on the ‘A Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia’.
Sarah is a freelance journalist with experience across print, digital and audio. After working for Multimedia Publishing as a contributing writer, she has recently joined the team in a part-time capacity for School News AU and AccomNews.
