Hotel and Motel Pest Management

by Donna M. Walker The hospitality field has its own challenges when it comes to pest management. Controlling pest issues is one thing but controlling the population of people coming in and out of a hotel or motel and whether or not they are also bringing pests, such as bed bugs, with them is another. The biggest culprits are bed bugs and roaches. Hearts Pest Management can keep your hotel or motel from infestations of these and other types of insects, as well as rodents. Besides treating for current bed bug problems, we can provide a monthly bed bug monitoring service to prevent new infestations from happening. You just never know when new people are arriving at your hotel or motel on a daily basis, especially those who travel often, that one or more may be bringing in bed bugs.

Bed Bug Control and Prevention for Hotels

A good Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach will utilize all possible methods of prevention and treatment available that reduce the risk of pesticide exposure to individuals and the environment. IPM methods include: 1. Inspection of infected areas, and the surrounding rooms or living space. 2. Train personnel on proper identification of bed bugs. 3. Bed bug monitoring systems to be checked on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Hearts Pest Management has a few different methods for treating bed bugs but first we inspect, free-of-charge, to determine the needs of your establishment. Your Hearts service professional will sit down and outline a pest management plan utilizing various treatment options and IPM methods. He/she will help you gain control over current pest problems and help prevent future infestations.

Once bed bugs have been identified:

1. Do not try over the counter pesticides and foggers! They are NOT effective treatments for bed bugs. 2. Call a licensed pest control professional such as Hearts who has experience in the treatment and removal of bed bugs and who will treat the living space of a room to insure eradication. Remember, bed bug eggs stick to picture frames, headboards, and curtains. 3. Follow the bed bug preparation sheet provided by your pest service representative. 4. Do not allow guests to use the room until it has been certified as bed bug free. 5. To prevent future infestations, all sleeping mattresses and box springs should be encased in plastic mattress covers and only metal bed frames should be utilized. 6. Repair and caulk any cracks and gaps in walls, baseboards, windowsills, etc.

Controlling Roaches

Another pest that frequents hotels is the dreaded cockroach, especially if there is a restaurant or large, commercial kitchen on site. You know you have a problem with roaches when you see them at night and during the daytime. Or, when a guest finds a frozen roach in an ice cube in her water glass; that actually happened at a fine and internationally known restaurant! In this case, the roaches got into the ice maker system in which out technician found roach feces all over the back of it and inside the electrical system. One big contributing factor to roach infestations is lack of sanitation; teaching staff, especially in the kitchen, to clean floors and counters each evening before the morning shift, will help keep roach problems maintained and prevent future infestations. Here are some of the service we offer at Hearts Pest Management: ► Traditional and Organic Pest Control – ants, spiders, earwigs, and Oriental roaches. ► Rat and Mice Control – rodent trapping and baiting. ► Wasps and Bees – removal and honeycomb cleanup. ► German and American Roach Control – kitchen infestations of American and German roaches. ► Landscape Pest Management – aphids, whitefly, grubs, snails, fungus, flies, gnats, and mosquitos. ► Fleas – inside and outdoor flea treatments. ► Gophers and Squirrels Only Hearts Pest Management Technicians are EcoWise Certified for Organic Pest Management Services. Our Greenthumb (organic) program works well on a monthly or every other month maintenance plan. However, you may want to add monthly roach and rodent control to your plan as well as bed bug monitoring services. Please give us a call at 800-986-1006 for a free inspection to determine the needs of your facility.

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Our Hearts service professional will devise a maintenance plan to keep you as pest free as possible!