As the weather warms up and people start to book their holiday visits, local hotel, B&B and Airbnb and other holiday accommodation businesses are advised to check for bedbugs now before the holiday season starts.
Why should holiday businesses check for bedbugs?
Bed bugs are much more common these days as people travel more frequently and transmit problem bed bugs from one holiday let to another.
Unfortunately, bed bugs often become a major issue for holiday accommodation businesses as people can be be embarrassed about bed bugs and so will often try to deal with the problem themselves.
DIY bed bug treatments often just prolong the problem though and often an infestation then gets out of control.
Don’t let a bedbug problem get out of control in your hotel or Airbnb holiday let business!
Bed Bug Fact
Bed bugs are prehistoric insects and they’ve been around for at least 115 million years. This should give you an idea of how resilient these little insects are!
Five reasons to deal quickly with a bedbug problem in your Hotel, B&B or Holiday Rental Business
1. COST
If you must replace of furniture, mattresses, towels and bedding in a holiday business it can become an expensive exercise not to mention the environmental impact.
2. REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE
Negative online and press reports can cause irreparable damage to your business. The sharing of bad experiences can spread very quickly in today’s online world. Reputational damage can be unlimited.
3. LOSS OF INCOME
Following on from reputational damage, if customers act on bad worth of mouth and online reviews or other press reports, you could find your business suffers a loss in revenue as your bookings fall.
4. FINANCIAL LOSS
Customers who come across a bedbug problem whilst staying at your holiday property will likely complain and want a refund.
5. LEGAL ACTION
It’s not unheard of for customers take you businesses to court following pest issues in their holiday accommodation. This might then result in your business incurring cost, loss of revenue, financial loss and reputational damage – things to be avoided!!
John Horsley Technical Officer at BPCA advises: “Bed Bugs can live for up to a year without feeding, so a room that has been unused for a few months may not be as empty as it appears".
1. Bedbugs are parasitic insects that can be transported on items such as luggage and second-hand furniture.
2. They will hide in crevices in beds, nearby furniture, behind skirting boards, under loose wallpaper and even in plug sockets.
3. If you spot signs of a bedbug infestation, we strongly recommend you act immediately and contact a professional pest control company, preferably a member of the BPCA.”
This is why dealing with a bedbug problem early on is absolutely essential. Bedbugs bite and can cause irritation and distress.
Some people are more prone to allergies and may react to bedbug bites as well. Imagine your horror when a customer approaches your reception desk scratching itchy painful swollen lumps…
What businesses are more likely to experience bedbug infestations?
High volume businesses and those who welcome frequent travellers may experience more infestations than others, but the reality is that most stay businesses can find they have a bedbug problem.
Common businesses include hotels, B&Bs, hotels, Airbnb and other holiday let businesses. But other businesses might also find they experience bedbug problems such as aeroplanes, cinemas, office buildings, campsites.
DIY treatments are usually ineffective and can prolong and worsen a bedbug infestation (for example causing bedbugs to migrate to other rooms or even to adjacent properties) so it’s usually best to call in the professionals immediately.
Check out our Bed bug Control Services
If you have got a bedbug problem, it’s usually best to call in the professionals.
For all your pest problems give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford and Worcester a call on 01981 540088 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat.
If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or use the live chat facility on our website and if we’re not available on the live chat for any reason then there’s a handy message service for you to leave your details so we can call you back. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your bedbug problems, give us a call now!