Getting Rid of Bedbugs: Knowledge is The First Step

Bed bugs can appear anywhere, even in the cleanest of hotels.

These minute “vampires” like to bite people at night as they sleep, leaving victims not only with skin lesions, but sometimes with severe anxiety as well. Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of because they shy away from light, preferring to hide in bedding and the dark corners of a room instead.

Bed bugs are a problem that’s caused by people, not buildings. In fact, they are often called “equal-opportunity pests” because they aren’t fussy about their surroundings. They’re just as happy in an upscale hotel as they are in a run-down motel – and no one is immune. But the havoc these bugs can wreak on people’s health and quality of life is no laughing matter. Knowing how to get rid of bed bugs is essential for preventing and controlling infestations.

Controlling the “beast”

Since the key is early detection, professionals in the hotel and accommodation industry should adopt a rigorous inspection process. Early detection can prevent a minor infiltration from turning into a major infestation. Eliminating bed bugs is a complex battle that requires a rigorous strategy. What’s more, it should be done without insecticides, which will only lead to resistance. (If despite this you still prefer to use insecticides, make sure they are applied by professionals who follow specific protocols).

So what’s the best way of getting rid of bedbugs? With the old tried-and-true “mechanical” methods. Fortunately, there are several effective methods, which can be used simultaneously.

• The first method is simple: carefully suck up the bugs with a vacuum cleaner nozzle. But remember that a vacuum cleaner will not kill insects; they can escape in just a few hours! To avoid re-infestation, the vacuum cleaner hose must be cleaned and the vacuum bag must be tightly sealed and placed outside in the trash.
• A good Plan B is freezing (at -20°C or below). Lay items/textiles flat in the freezer and leave them there for at least three days.
• Alternatively, clean linens in the washing machine in the hot water cycle (above 55°C) or with hot steam (over 100°C). This will destroy all stages of bedbugs in corners or upholstery.
• And last but not least: use the clothes dryer, which is widely considered the best way to eliminate bed bugs. Place all infested textiles and small items in the dryer and dry at a very high temperature for at least 30 minutes.
• Chemical control is another option, although it’s best to rely on the services of a professional.

Before you attack, keep in mind that bed bugs can remain hidden in floor cracks, under mattresses or behind electrical outlets for up to two years. Many major hotel chains have finally realized that no can one escape a bed bug infestation forever, and have taken a more proactive approach by giving their establishments a massive bed bug makeover with joint-free or easy-to-dismantle structures that make fighting potential infestations easier.

Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire way to prevent bed bugs; for any establishment that frequently welcomes guests, a bed bug-free hotel is merely a Utopian dream. All hotels have had infestations to some degree or another. That being said, daily hygiene and a bit of knowledge will go a long way in minimizing the risk of infestation. The faster you discover bed bugs, the faster you’ll be able to get rid of them.