Horror stories of bed bugs have been going viral lately, smearing the reputations of many hospitality brands. Hotels everywhere need to ask themselves: what is management doing to prevent bed bug infestations, and how would we respond to a complaint?

North Carolina Hotel Sued for Bed Bugs

Twenty-five bites, and a pillow containing hundreds of bed bugs. That was the horrifying experience of one woman’s stay at a Holiday Inn Express in North Carolina. She sued the hotel chain for $7 million.

Victims of bed bug attacks often report lingering effects of discomfort and paranoia. In one particular case, the victim was a recovering breast cancer survivor whose doctor feared an infection from germs carried by bed bugs. Needless to say, in such cases public sympathy goes to the customer.

Bed Bugs: A Matter of Housekeeping Policies

Nobody can avoid the risk of bed bugs being accidentally carried in. What hospitality management must do is practice constant vigilance, proactive cleaning, and fast response to sightings.

Housekeeping staff should look around mattresses, box springs, bed skirts, and all linens. Telltale signs include blood dots and brownish stains, often around the edges of linens.

The lookout for bed bugs does not need to slow down housekeeping services. Motorized linen carts can help staff tend to more rooms, quickly, and with less physical strain — freeing them up to be more thorough in visual inspections for bed bugs. Motorized linen carts with metal or plastic frames can also promote a cleaner transport system compared to canvas.

For more information on hospitality equipment including motorized linen carts to empower your workers, contact DJProducts.com.

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