The Top 3 Common Hotel Pest Problems

The Top 3 Common Hotel Pest Problems

Commercial Pests

Unfortunately, pests are everywhere. As much as we would like to think that the hotels we stay in are nice and clean, even initially clean places may be at risk of hidden infestations. The following are the top three most common potential pest problems found in hotels, how you can spot early signs of a problem as hotel managers and owners, and how you can protect yourself from pests as a hotel guest.

Bed Bugs

Easily the most infamous hotel-based pests, bed bugs are common hotel horrors due to their proclivity for hitchhiking. Bed bugs are roughly the size of an apple seed and can be as thin as a sheet of paper, making them experts at hiding, and they prefer dark places to hide such as the interior spaces of luggage. This is the reason whey hotels and motels have become such hubs for passing bed bugs – they crawl in and out of luggage, hitchhiking around to homes throughout the US. Traveler Tips: When you first arrive at your hotel room, inspect your room carefully, even using a flashlight if possible as bedbugs will try to hide in dark areas. Some of the key areas to look include the creases of the mattress (underneath the fitted sheet), the crease between the headboard and mattress, and the cracks and corners inside drawers or closets. During your stay, avoid leaving any clothing or bags directly on the floor and try to instead use tables or luggage racks that will make your bags more difficult to reach. Also, you may be putting yourself at risk by unpacking your clothing into any dressers, so avoiding this when possible can help you stay bed-bug free. Warning Signs for Workers: The most pressing indication of bed bugs is, of course, from customer complaints about either seeing bugs or being bitten. However, vigilance can prevent a problem from ever getting to this point. Turndown maids should be regularly inspecting sheets for any little brown specks or blood spots – all of which are indicative of bed bugs bites during the night. In addition, regular monitoring around the bed and in other key hiding spaces is key to preventing any potential problems early.

Spiders

Spiders are some of the creepiest and most unsettling pests we ever come across. Arachnophobia is even rated as one of the top 10 phobias in the world, and, even if you personally aren’t afraid of them, you cannot deny that their multiple eyes, eight legs, pinchers, and eerie way of moving is rather disturbing. The last thing you want are creepy spider ruining your vacation or terrorizing your guests. Traveler Tips: The best way to stay spider free during hotel stays is actually by checking out the hotel itself prior to booking. Places that have had issues with pests in the past or that have visible spider webs outside of the building are at the greatest risk of having these unwelcome guests paying you a visit in your hotel room. Warning Signs for Workers: Finding any signs of webbing, or even an increase in other pests, are both clear indications of spider infestations. Spiders follow their food, meaning that any increase in insects puts you at risk of these eight-legged creeps. You can try to keep them at bay by vacuuming frequently, eliminating sources of standing water, immediately removing any webbing, ensuring that all of your screens and windows are secure, and, most effectively, through professional pest intervention.

Rodents

Not only are rodents destructive, they can be highly dangerous due to the myriad of malignant diseases they can spread. Early detection and removal are crucial to the safety and security of both staff and guests in hotels. Traveler Tips: Similar to spiders, rodents in hotels are best avoided by avoiding hotels with potential rodent problems. This can often be determined by scoping out places to stay and doing basic research by checking reviews and any warning sites. Upon arrival to your room, you can also conduct a very basic inspection to help ensure your room is free of these squeaky, nasty pests. Check for signs of droppings and/or urine, gnaw marks, a pungent musty stench, scratching noises, and even holes or cracks in the walls, flooring, etc. Warning Signs for Workers: It is extremely important for staff members to be properly educated on the early signs of rodent infestations. Such signs can include: scratching noises, musky odors, droppings, urine, smudge marks and stains, squeaking noises, gnaw marks on various fixtures, stolen food or food packages chewed open or destroyed. If any signs such as these occur, it is time to take immediate action! Professional intervention is crucial and securing the current problem is a matter of urgency. Food stores and the hotel restaurant as a whole need to be deep cleaned and secured, all entry points must be found and sealed off, and any other professional recommendations based on your inspections should be implemented as soon as possible.

Commercial Pest Protection with Pointe

At Point Pest Control, we take pride in protecting hotels from year-round invaders, and we understand the importance of keeping these travel destinations safe and secure. If a customer sees pests like rats, spiders or bed bugs on your premises it can be very off-putting. This could result in word being spread about the lacking standard of your premises, and the last thing you want is an inspection or a damning report from the health inspectors for your business. At Pointe Pest, our professional exterminators are equipped with the proper tools and skills allowing them to deliver excellent service to secure hotels from both existing and potential pest problems. Call us today if you are interested in our Commercial Pest Control Services for your hotel.