Pests often seek out hotels and other commercial facilities as they provide all the necessities for those pests to survive. The summer months bring increased pest activity, making proactive pest management essential for hotels. Now is the ideal time to conduct thorough property inspections to identify and address potential problem areas before the peak season begins.
“Hotel facility managers should be scheduling a professional inspection with a qualified pest control company,” said Jim Fredericks, senior vice president of the National Pest Management Association. “A pest control professional can pinpoint areas that may be welcoming pests into your facility or creating ideal conditions around the property for pests to breed.”
In the spring time, emergence starts for many pests, according to Ian Williams, technical services manager at Rollins. “Depending on what you’ve done in the past, it will determine how your summer months go on your property,” he said. “For example, regarding ants, a lot of times we try and do various treatments in the spring that set everybody up for success throughout the summer months. That can be also said for things like yellow jackets or mosquitoes, so having a plan and working with the pest provider to make sure you’ve got that plan in place now is going to take us up for success in the future.”
There are other proactive steps hoteliers can take to prepare for pest control in the summer months. “Firstly, maintaining and cleaning units regularly is crucial, with a particular focus on inspecting for bed bugs,” said Joe Marquard, service manager at Killingsworth Environmental. “It’s also important to check common hiding spots for pests, such as under eaves, where wasp nests might form. Regular maintenance of cracks and foundations can prevent pests from entering the premises.
“Lastly, checking for and addressing any moisture issues is essential, as damp environments can attract various pests. By implementing these measures, hoteliers can help ensure a pest-free environment for their guests during the busy summer season,” Marquard concluded.
Hoteliers should have a basic understanding of the pests commonly introduced to hotels like cockroaches and bedbugs, as well as pest species that are common to their location, said James Agardy, technical and training manager at Viking Pest Control. “There are plenty of resources online to identify signs of insect infestation like droppings, cast skins and conditions favorable to pest infestation. Training hotel staff to identify these signs early can allow for prompt treatment before infestations become large and difficult to control as well as minimizing the amount of time a room is out of service for treatment.
German cockroaches and bed bugs are two examples of pests that aren’t impacted by seasonality, according to Eric Braun, technical service manager at Rentokil Terminix. “Some of the more important pests it doesn't matter what time of year it is—hoteliers will see them,” he said.
When you're dealing with those types of invading insects, exclusion works. “Trying to seal up as many cracks and crevices as possible to prevent any pests from accessing or entering the structure,” he continued. “That really is the only one thing that you can do that's not treatment related.”
Different climates and regions experience unique pest pressures. “Understanding the specific pest challenges associated with your property’s geographic location allows for tailored preventative measures and timely interventions to keep pests at bay year-round,” Marquard said.
For example, properties in humid, coastal areas may need to focus on mosquito and termite prevention, while those in arid regions may encounter more scorpions and ants, Fredericks said. Hotels in urban environments often deal with increased rodent and cockroach pressure, while those in wooded areas must guard against ticks. “Understanding the specific pest threats in your location and working with a pest control professional to implement a tailored strategy will help keep your property protected year-round,” he continued.
Tips to keep pests away
The National Pest Management Association recommends the following tips to keep pests out of your hotel.
Interior Pest Prevention
- Early detection is key when it comes to pest prevention. Identifying and addressing a pest issue early can reduce the likelihood of infestations spreading or interfering with operations.
- Vacuum rooms thoroughly, including items that are often overlooked such as drapes, behind pictures and underneath furniture. Don’t forget offices, hallways, lobbies and public bathrooms.
- Ensure kitchens and eating areas are clean by wiping down counter tops and sweeping floors to remove crumbs and residue from spills.
- Routinely check under sinks and machinery for areas of moisture and repair any leaky pipes or clogged drains.
- Store all food products in sealed containers and organize empty boxes to prevent harborage areas.
- Inspect for evidence of bed bugs during every room service. Maintenance staff should remove and check behind headboards and under box springs periodically.
- Follow proper laundry handling practices to reduce the risk of spreading bed bugs, including keeping clean and dirty laundry separate and ensuring all carts remain in the hallway during room service.
- Avoid used or reconditioned furniture and furnishings, including antiques, when designing the room. If you do bring second-hand furniture into your building, be sure to have all items inspected and disinfested before installation.
- If bed bugs are found, take proper precautions when removing furniture from the room such as wrapping the mattress, box spring and furniture in plastic and sealing them to avoid dropping bed bugs or their eggs while transporting items out of the building.
Exterior Pest Prevention
- Ensure the grounds surrounding the hotel are properly maintained, as overgrown vegetation can attract pests to the property.
- Keep trash in sealed containers inside the building and remove from the facility regularly. Ensure dumpsters are far away from any building entry points.
- Inspect the exterior of the building to ensure there are no entry points. Pay close attention to areas where pipes and utilities enter the building and seal any gaps or cracks in the foundation.
- Repair gaps around window frames to prevent ants or other small pests from entering.
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors to seal the gap between the floor and the door where pests can enter.
- Remove debris from gutters and direct water away from the building through properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.
- Install a gravel perimeter around the building to help discourage vegetation growth that could harbor pests and interfere with pest inspections.
This article was originally published in the April edition of Hotel Management magazine. Subscribe here.