The Cost Of Bed Bug Problems For Hospitality

Bed bugs problems cost the hospitality industry millions of pounds per year. In fact, some experts estimate this cost at about £55,000 per hotel. These costs are incurred by many things. For example, you may have to compensate guests who are bitten by these bugs. These costs could include legal fees. Then there’s also the loss of business and the damage to your reputation. This repetitional damage may cause guests to cancel their stay and avoid your hotel in the future.

Why the hospitality industry needs to take bed bug problems seriously

The point is that no one wants bed bugs, least of all hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses. Staying in a hotel, especially an expensive one, is supposed to be a pleasant and enjoyable experience. It’s not supposed to include waking up with bed bug bites.

If this happens, your guests will be highly irate, especially if they end up picking up bed bugs. In this case, guests might demand a refund and cancel their stay. They may also refuse to pay and demand a complimentary room. At the very least they will demand an alternative room. Many guests may also threaten legal action.

Bed bug problems will also cause embarrassment, which we’re sure you’ll want to avoid, even if you’ve checked the rooms. Also, treating this issue will cost you money, especially if you have to treat multiple rooms. If you’re doing this over and over again, the costs will quickly add up.

What can hotels do to prevent bed bug problems?

This is why prevention is always the best cure when it comes to this issue. You need to avoid bed bug problems, instead of handling the fall out, even though high temperatures will help. What we recommend to anyone in the hospitality industry, is that you take out a pest control contract.

With a contract we will routinely visit your establishment and check for bed bugs. We look for their signs and symptoms. If we discover evidence of bed bugs, then the affected room is treated. With this maintenance, you stand a good chance of completely avoiding bed bugs problems. With heat treatments, the room is only out of action for a few hours and no chemicals are used.

The bottom line is that this isn’t something you should leave to chance. Do not simply hope that you can avoid this problem. Remember, bed bugs are extremely common and it’s only a matter of time until you get them. If this happens, the costs could be extraordinary. You’ll face a loss of reputation and this will result in a loss of business and income. You may also have to pay compensation, and this will come with legal fees. This is why it’s critically important that you’re aware of bed bug problems and take them seriously. Yes, pest control costs money, but in the long run it costs a lot less than the alternatives.