What causes bed bugs at your business?

Travel 

Travel is among the leading causes of bed bug infestations in commercial properties. Guests, patients, residents, and staff may unknowingly carry bed bugs on luggage, backpacks, clothing, or personal items. Because hospitality environments see a high volume of guests, they are top spots for bed bug activity.

Your staff should be the first line of defense. Inspect all incoming goods and linens before they enter the building for signs of bed bugs. It also helps to use mattress and box spring encasements to protect beds from becoming infested in the first place.

Bed bugs in healthcare facilities

Healthcare facilities are bustling with activity, welcoming many patients, visitors, and staff each day. This constant flow increases the chance of bed bugs being introduced on personal belongings. Bed bugs are often found in patient rooms, waiting areas, lounges, and laundry storage spaces. Even just one report can impact patient trust and operations.

To help prevent an outbreak, your facility should seal cracks in walls and furniture where bugs like to hide. You can also restrict where employees store personal belongings and bags to minimize the number of potential introduction points into the facility.

Bed bugs in colleges and universities

Schools, colleges, and universities see constant move-ins and move-outs. With students coming and going for spring, winter, and summer breaks, bed bugs often spread via luggage and furniture as students move in and out of dorm rooms. Once inside dorm rooms, bed bugs can move between rooms through walls and shared spaces.

To help manage this risk, enforce regular dorm cleanouts to minimize general clutter and reduce the number of available hiding places for pests. It is also helpful to institute a quarantine period for any suspect items or furniture moving into the dorm.

Bed bugs in multifamily properties

Multifamily properties include apartments, condos, senior living communities, and student housing. These buildings are at higher risk because units share walls, hallways, and common areas. If one unit has bed bugs, they can travel to others. Property managers should understand that what causes bed bugs in one unit can quickly spread to the entire building.

To prevent infestations, property managers should schedule regular inspections of communal laundry rooms and lounges and encourage residents to report any signs of bed bugs immediately. Sealing gaps around utility pipes and utility voids can also help stop these pests from traveling between units.

How to help prevent bed bugs at your business

Now that you understand what the main cause of bed bugs is and how they spread in commercial properties, the next step is putting it into practice. Here’s what you can do to help keep bed bugs out of your business:

• Training staff to recognize early signs of bed bugs
• Inspecting high-risk areas on a routine schedule
• Creating a clear pest reporting and response process
• Checking neighboring rooms or units when concerns arise
• Inspecting second-hand or rental furniture before use
• Partnering with a professional for ongoing commercial bed bug control

We partner with businesses to put effective bed bug prevention into practice. With Rentokil US on your side, you can catch issues early, respond quickly, and keep your business running smoothly.