3 Ways Pest Sightings Damage Your Bottom Line

To support healthy operations and help prevent increased pest activity during high occupancy periods, consult with your pest management provider about implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach along with your current facility maintenance and sanitation efforts. IPM is the best way to proactively reduce conducive conditions for pests in an ongoing cycle of assessing the issues, implementing corrective actions and monitoring for improvements. Keep the following tips in mind for at-risk areas of your hotel, especially during periods of high occupancy rates:

• Ongoing Inspection: Staff should inspect for live insects, ink-like stains or molted skins on mattress tags and seams, furniture cushions and behind headboards. If you spot a bed bug or signs of activity, contact your pest management provider, take the affected room(s) out of service and leave the room untouched.

• Seal Pests Out: Ensure door sweeps, weather stripping and window screens are installed and in good condition throughout your hotel.

• Survey the Grounds: Inspect your grounds and parking lots frequently to make sure they are free from trash that can attract ants and other crawling pests.

• Hard-to-Reach Area: Regularly sweep and vacuum elevators, and work with your elevator maintenance company to lift the elevator and clean the bottom of the shaft every few months.

• Take Out the Trash: Empty trash cans frequently and schedule regular pickups with your waste management company. During times of high occupancy, adjust the trash schedule to avoid overflow.

• Dining Room Hot-Spot: Immediately clean up spills and crumbs as diners finish their meals. At the end of each day, deep clean the dining areas to prevent residues and odors that can attract pests.