Where are Bed Bugs Found? 6 Places You Wouldn’t Expect to Find Bed Bugs

pest exterminator performing thorough bed bug inspection

Bed bugs have the physique that allows them to hide under, behind, and in anything. They will typically hide within five feet of their food source, which correlates with where you spend most of your time, likely where you sleep.

Bed bugs are found in many places, not limited to any one specific type of dwelling. Infestations have been reported everywhere including single family homes, multi-family housing, apartments, hotels, hospitals, schools and college campuses, office buildings and even retail stores. Even five-star hotels and high-end clothing stores are susceptible to infestations. While there are the typical places bed bugs are found, they might be found in a few unlikely places as well, including:

  1. Movie theaters
  2. Waiting areas – doctor’s offices, government buildings, office lobbies
  3. Libraries
  4. Public Transportation – buses, taxi cabs, trains
  5. Locker rooms
  6. Airplanes

So how do they get to these unlikely places?

Steve Counsell, Training and Development Manager, explains, “Female bed bugs are the most likely to hitchhike, which causes trouble for us. If the female is pregnant, she is bringing with her a bunch of potential little bed bugs. Pregnant females will typically migrate away from the bed to unusual places throughout a room.” From here, they are likely to get picked up by accident and transported to one of the places listed above.

It is important to remember no place is a guaranteed bed bug free zone. Any place humans sit, rest or sleep gives bed bugs the opportunity to feed and multiply. In order to protect yourself as best as possible, inspect public areas before you take a seat or set down your belongings.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs from Coming Home from School

Bed bug infestations in classrooms are rare because schools are generally poor environments for them. However, periodic introductions of bed bugs into classes occur more, often due to the increasing frequency of bed bugs in homes.

While teachers and staff can be more easily addressed, dealing with students or parents can be challenging, especially if the family cannot afford proper control measures or their landlord refuses to properly treat their home.

College dorms and apartment complexes are also hot spots for bed bugs. College housing can be prime territory for bed bug infestations to spread rapidly, and it only takes a few hitchhikers on your son or daughter’s belongings to bring that infestation into your home. 

If you have a child in this position, make sure they aren’t bringing any unwanted guests back with them.

Bed Bug Prevention in the School

If you’re a faculty member, we recommend the following for preventing bed bugs:

  • Provide educational materials to staff and parents/guardians.
  • Keep the facility clean and uncluttered. Bed Bugs are not associated with uncleanliness, but a clean facility makes it easier to detect bed bugs before an infestation gets established.
  • If children take naps at school, regularly put the bedding in the dryer on a high setting for at least 30 min. This will kill all stages of bed bug development. Dress up clothes or theater costumes should also be regularly put through the dryer.
  • Regularly clean and inspect the following: lost-and-found, sleeping areas, upholstered furniture, and wall mounted items (pictures, clocks, signs, mirrors, etc.).
  • Store items (bedding, clothes, coats, bags) in clear plastic containers when possible.
  • Consider periodic inspections by a bed bug detecting canine, if bed bugs are consistently an issue in the population you serve.

If a Student’s Home Is Known to Have a Bed Bug Infestation

  • Provide the student with educational materials they can take home with them.
  • Send a letter to the student’s parent or guardian requesting that they take steps to reduce the risk of bed bugs being transported to school.
  • Send a letter to all parents with children in the affected classroom.
  • Provide the student with plastic bags or a plastic bin in which to store their belongings while at school.
  • Isolate the student’s belongings.
  • Reduce the number of items that the student has to transport between school and home.
  • Regularly inspect the student’s desk and or locker for bed bugs.
  • Avoid an accumulation of clothes, shoes, and boots in the classroom.

Tips for Parents to Follow at Home

  • Parents should regularly inspect their children’s belongings for hitchhiking bed bugs.
  • Limiting the number of items children bring home from school.
  • Regularly checking backpacks, jackets, and clothing after kids return home, and keeping these items in a separate area of the house.
  • Wash and dry cloth items returning from school in hot temperatures.
  • Inspecting your car for signs of bed bugs, like shed exoskeletons and blood stains.
  • If the school has reported an infestation, consider housing all related items in a sealed plastic bin.
  • Ask school administrators whether they have bed bug detection and elimination plans.

Bed Bug Prevention in College Dorms and Apartments

Because bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, they are easy to carry both to and from campus. Here are a few tips on bed bug prevention in college dorms and apartments:

  • Suitcases and trunks should be fully inspected for signs of bed bugs prior to using them for back-to-school packing, especially if they were used for other travel.
  • Any secondhand or rental furniture should be inspected to ensure that it is free of any bed bugs or bed bug evidence.
  • Dorm rooms should be inspected prior to unpacking. Begin with the mattress and check any additional furniture in the room, such as sofas or chairs.
  • Invest in a mattress encasement if your school doesn’t provide them. While a mattress encasement can’t stop bed bugs from getting into your dorm room, it can allow you to see bed bugs that get introduced to your room, since it prevents them from being able to hide on the mattress and box spring. Look for an encasement that promotes “bug proof” zipper locks.

How to Prevent the Transfer of Bed Bugs While Moving

Randy Rupert, Batzner’s Bed Bug Team Leader, recommends the following to prevent the transfer of bed bugs while moving. 

  • A visual inspection before packing is always necessary.
  • Look out for blood spots on linens and clothes
  • Check for fecal spotting on and inside the box spring and box spring frame
  • Inspect area around bed for shed skins, eggs, and live bugs

If you find any reason to believe that bed bugs are present, or if you just want to be extra careful:

In the Dorm

Bag everything, especially linens, clothes, and shoes, and securely tie the bag(s).

At Home

Leave the bags/luggage in the garage, complete the following steps before bringing anything inside (if possible)

  • Empty the bag as soon as possible.
    • Put contents into the dryer right away, dry for 30 to 60 minutes on high.
    • Keep an eye out for black spots in seams, dust skirts, fitted sheets, and other places bed bugs like to live.
  • Vacuum all the luggage, bags, etc. as well as the around the bags/luggage.
  • Wash canisters and other transferring material that cannot be vacuumed.
  • Wipe down hard surfaced items (laptops, TVs, etc.).

Let the Experts Handle Bed Bugs

Bed bugs in your home are a sure way to ruin what should be an enjoyable time with your children and students! 

Whether your kids are in school or you work in a school yourself, it is important to keep yourself educated about bed bugs and prevention. Moving day from a college campus can also be a tiring, frustrating experience, but these few extra steps are very much worth the effort. 

If by some chance a bed bug infestation still occurs, or if you have any questions on bed bug prevention, don’t hesitate to call 866-591-3519 or contact us here.

Bed Bug Protocol for Apartments, Hotels, and Hospitals

If you manage an apartment building, hotel, hospital, or any other multi-unit complex, knowing how to handle bed bugs is an absolute necessity. All it takes is one infested piece of luggage, furniture, or clothing entering your building for an infestation to take hold and spread to multiple units.

If a tenant or guest gives any indication that bed bugs are present, you can do a quick visual inspection, looking out for the bugs themselves and small dark spots on sheets, in the seams of mattresses, and on bed frames and headboards. If any sign of an infestation exists, call a professional bed bug service provider immediately!

Batzner’s Bed Bug Treatment of Multi-Unit Complexes Consists Of:

1. Inspection of unit reporting the issue (K-9 recommended).
2. Inspection of adjacent units, even across the hall (K-9 recommended).
3. Questioning of tenant:
– Have you traveled?
– Have you bought any used furniture?
– Have you had any guests over recently?
– Do you frequent other units or common areas?
– Have you self-treated? (this can disrupt our own inspection and treatment)
4. Treatment by either chemicals or heat, depending on the situation.
5. Follow-up and final inspection.

Cooperation between the manager, tenant, and Batzner is vital for success in dealing with bed bugs. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure you know exactly what we are doing to fix your problem, just contact us at the earliest sign of infestation!

Benefits of Using Scent Detection Dogs for Bed Bug Inspections

canine sniffing for bed bugs at home in wisconsin

Summer are some of the busiest days for our bed bug scent detection canines. As the weather heats up, the summer travel season starts to pick up, inevitably leading to an increase in the spread of bed bugs. Since bed bugs are hitchhiking pests, they’re bound to spread the more people are on the move. The small nuisance critters will clasp on to clothes, luggage and other personal belongings, allowing them to go wherever their human taxis are headed. Once someone brings these pests home, it’s time for the Batzner bed bug scent detection dogs and their canine handlers to confirm suspected bed bug infestations. Our dogs are trained to only alert to live bed bugs and viable eggs.

Why You Need a Bed Bug Dog Inspection

Using canines to perform a search for bed bugs is efficient when several areas or rooms require inspection because it is less time consuming than humans searching. Using their incredible sense of smell, canines are able to detect and find live bed bugs within minutes of searching. Despite their name, bed bugs don’t limit themselves to bedding. These pests conceal themselves in the depths of furniture, in upholstery, behind wallpaper and baseboards, inside walls, and behind outlets, light switches, and cable and phone jacks. Their ability to hide makes detecting them quite a challenge. In fact, humans can uncover a low-level infestation just 30 percent of the time. That’s why so many people are turning to dogs for help.

Benefits of Bed Bug Sniffing Canines
  • The keen sense of smell in dogs makes them experts on bed bug detection with a very high percentage of accuracy. They can detect live bed bug scents through mattresses, inside walls and furniture. While bed bugs may lurk in nooks and crannies that are out of sight of humans, they cannot hide from a dog’s sensitive nose. Thanks to their keen affinity for scent, dogs can literally sniff out the presence of both bed bugs and their eggs.
  • In addition to accuracy, bed bug canines are extremely fast and efficient. Bed bug canines can easily find the areas where bed bugs reside, and detect them quicker than their human counterparts. Faster detection can speed up the treatment process and allow you to get back to business as usual. Large hotels can be covered in a fraction of the time it takes to complete a visual inspection, giving owners peace of mind that the facility is free of bed bugs.
Who Are These Dogs & How Are They Selected?

There are several training facilities, mostly located in Florida, which raise and train dogs to detect the presence of bed bugs. Dogs rescued from local shelters are mainly used and are chosen based on their breed and level of energy. The most successful dogs are highly energetic and contain biological traits that improve their sense of smell. In addition, the dog must have a solid work ethic and the ability to maintain focus while on the job.

Training the Canine

Usually canines start training between eight and twelve months old, but depending on the age when they are rescued, it can vary. To be eligible for certification, the dog must complete between 800 and 1,000 hours of training. Training takes place in specialized facilities that provide realistic situations and natural hiding places bed bugs. The dog will be exposed to the bugs in their different life stages in order to learn the varying scents of each stage. It is important for the dogs to be able to distinguish between live bugs and dead cells because a false positive could lead to unnecessary treatments and expenses. A canine should not identify past infestations that are no longer a threat. The handlers go through just as much training as the dogs. Both must be a good match for each other in order to pass the certification test.

Scent Detection Certification

Once the training hours are completed, the dogs must be certified by NESDCA. In order to become fully certified, canines and their handlers must pass the certification requirement together. If the canine is ever transferred to a new handler, the certification must be passed again as a new team. A single dog cannot be legally certified without a handler, and vice versa.

The Testing Process

Accredited judges from NESDCA will evaluate the canine and handler through a number of tests. The canine is evaluated on detecting the presence of bed bugs and his or her ability to discriminate between scents. The dog passes the test by making a motion toward the source of the scent, such as pawing or pointing with its nose. The handler is evaluated on their ability to control, command, and work with the dog. Certifications are valid for a full year for the specific scent that was tested.

Are Canine Services Cost-Effective?

Since many residents and business owners spend thousands of dollars on infestation removal, there are concerns that the use of scent detection dogs is just another added expense. However, the use of bed bugs dogs can save an individual or company several thousands of dollars on unnecessarily treating rooms that are not infested. Because of their accuracy, a bed bug canine team can identify one bed bug just as easily as it can detect a severe infestation. Early detection saves time and money before infestations can get out of control.

If you find yourself dealing with a potential bed bug issue, it might be time to call 866-591-3519 or contact the four-legged bed bug canines at Batzner!

How to Check for and Avoid Hotel Bed Bugs While Traveling

pest technician searching for bed bugs in bedroom

Many people take trips during the holiday season and the summer months, which unfortunately means that a lot of bed bugs will be traveling as well. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, and they love environments with lots of people in close proximity. 

Because of this, certain locations that are very likely to be a place of departure or arrival, such as college dorms and hotels, have a high risk of bed bug infestations. Hotels, airlines, and other travel services are aware of the risks and often have pest control routines in place. 

No vacation is 100% risk-free, but a little effort upfront can minimize your chances of running into issues. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, soak in the experiences, relax on the beach, discover a new city, and enjoy local cuisine. Let great memories, not bed bug stress, define your trip.

Why Paying Attention to Bed Bugs Makes Sense

Feeling a little on edge isn’t overreacting. Traveling does raise your chances of encountering bed bugs, so being cautious is a good mindset to have. The important thing is to stay aware without letting that concern take over your entire trip. Here’s what you should know:

  • They’re not a new threat. Bed bugs have been a problem for generations. We’ve learned a lot over the years about how to handle them.
  • We’ve come a long way in prevention. Today’s tools for detecting and dealing with bed bugs are far more advanced than in the past.
  • Clean spaces aren’t always clear. These pests don’t discriminate, whether a room looks spotless or not, you still need to check for the signs.

The takeaway: simple habits and a bit of knowledge can help keep your travel experience on track.

How to Handle Bed Bug Stress While Traveling

Planning a vacation should feel exciting, but concerns about bed bugs can easily sneak into your travel plans. It’s completely understandable to feel uneasy, these tiny pests are known for turning peaceful getaways into frustrating situations. But don’t worry. A bit of preparation and awareness can help you stay ahead of the problem and enjoy your time away with confidence.

Upon Your Arrival

Bed bugs are least likely to be found in the bathroom, so before you settle in for the rest of your trip, place your luggage there until you’ve had a chance to make sure the coast is clear. Check the following:

  • Thoroughly inspect the entire room you are staying in with a flashlight before unpacking, including behind the headboard, under lights, and inside dressers, drawers, sofas, and chairs.
  • Pull back the sheets and inspect the headboard, mattress seams, and box springs, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains, spots, or shed bed bug skins.
  • Signs of bed bug activity can include small, white translucent eggs, cast skins, and inky-dark fecal stains on the mattress.
  • Look for little dots of blood or black specs that look like mold or ground pepper.
  • Keep your eyes peeled for the bugs themselves. They are about the size of an apple seed, and you might find them in corners or the seams of bedding.
  • If you notice bed bugs in your room, notify management and request to change rooms immediately. Be sure the room is at least two floors away, since the bugs may travel through wallboards and electrical sockets.

During Your Stay

  • Keep your luggage off the ground.
  • Place your suitcase in a plastic trash bag or large zip-up bags (available from luggage or travel retailers specifically for this purpose) during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure. *Tip: Pack clothes in a zip-lock bag for easy cleaning upon returning home.
  • Do not place luggage on upholstered surfaces. The safest place is in the bathroom in the middle of a tile floor, or on a luggage rack after it has been thoroughly inspected. Do not use a luggage rack if it has hollow legs, where bed bugs may hide unseen.

Upon Your Return

  • When you return home, inspect your suitcases before bringing them into the house.
  • Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly before bringing it indoors and storing it away.
  • To remove any bed bugs or eggs that may have traveled home with you, place all clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes, even those items you haven’t worn. Then wash all clothes in hot water. Dry clean only clothes should be thrown in the dryer and run on high heat.

If a Bed Bug Sneaks Home With You: What to Do

Even with all the right steps, there’s still a small chance a bed bug could hitch a ride. Here’s how to act quickly and effectively:

  • Skip the Store-Bought Sprays: Many DIY treatments don’t work well and could spread the problem.
  • Call Pest Control Right Away: Reach out to a professional bed bug control team as soon as you suspect anything.
  • Seal Off the Room: Keep the area isolated to avoid further spread.
  • Save Evidence: If you can safely do so, collect a sample or snap a photo to help with identification.
  • Launder Everything on High: Run all clothes, bedding, and linens through hot wash and dry cycles for at least 30 minutes.
  • Notify the Hotel: Let your accommodations know if you suspect they were the source, this helps prevent the issue for future guests.

***If you do find bed bugs upon your return home, we DO NOT recommend using do it yourself treatments. These products often do not take care of the entire infestation and can potentially cause the bed bugs to scatter throughout your home, making them harder to get rid of in the long run!***

Don’t Let Worrying About Bed Bugs Take Over Your Vacation

Although an inspection of your hotel room is probably the last thing you want to do when checking in after a long day of travel, doing so, along with cleaning your items when you return home, can save you the misery and expense if you brought bed bugs into your home.

If bed bugs took a ride home with you after a trip, Batzner Pest Control is ready to step in. Our expert team provides professional bed bug solutions tailored to your situation.

Remember, no one wants to get a bed bug infestation, so spread the word and make sure your family and friends are vigilant when traveling! Call us at 866-591-3519 or contact us online if an infestation occurs.

Proactive Bed Bug Control Using Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs in Hotels, Apartments, and Hospitals

batzner exterminator leads dog for canine bed bug inspection in wisconsin

Be Proactive About Bed Bugs; Implement Our Regularly Scheduled Canine Inspections!

Brenda Borgman, Batzner’s Account Executive Manager, sums up the benefits of proactive bed bug canine inspections: “Doing proactive sweeps cuts down on heavy infestations by allowing us to detect and treat a problem early on. This reduces the chance of it spreading to more parts of the building, which can be expensive and a hassle for owners and managers to deal with. Overall, the proactive approach is a much more cost-effective way to handle bed bugs in multi-unit properties.”

Difference between Inspections and Treatment

What are proactive bed bug sweeps? By contracting to have bed bug sniffing dogs come in at regular intervals, bed bug problems are caught before they are able to take hold and spread into a full-blown infestation. The cost of proactive inspections compared to the steep cost of eliminating heavy infestations multiple times means they pay for themselves.

Frequency of Inspections

The frequency of these inspections is determined by the clients’ needs. For college dorms this is often just once a year before the fall semester or twice a year in the fall and during the winter break. Other properties, such as apartments, hotels, hospitals, and social service training facilities require more frequent visits, usually quarterly but sometimes monthly.

How Proactive Inspections Work

Our highly-trained Bed Bug Canine Team performs sweeps of critical areas where bed bugs are likely. In dorms, apartments, and hotels, this covers the rooms, hallways, and lobbies where there are many people coming and going, with particular focus paid to the bed area and furniture where a tenant/guest might be sleeping. Similarly, in social service and healthcare facilities, the waiting areas, training areas, and emergency rooms are considered critical areas due to the amount of people going in and out who are potential carriers for bed bugs.

Remember, early detection is the key to preventing bed bugs from becoming a major problem. Randy Rupert, our Bed Bug Team Leader, adds that, “In addition to the cost saved by avoiding multi-unit infestations, preventative canine inspections’ high detection rate provides property owners and managers peace of mind that bed bugs won’t be shutting down their business.”

Learn more about our bed bug Canine Team!

Call 866-591-3519 or contact Batzner online today for more information about our proactive canine inspections!

How Do I Know If I Have Bed Bugs? Learn About the Signs of Bed Bugs

pest exterminator inspects wisconsin home for bed bugs

It’s no secret that bed bugs are seriously creepy creatures. After all, they like to live near your bed and feed on your blood while you’re sleeping. Disturbing, right? If you think you may have bed bugs, you should look in two places for evidence: on your body and in your room.

Bed Bug Evidence on Your Body

The primary sign of bed bugs on your body are red, itchy bites, usually appearing on skin that’s exposed while sleeping. Bed bug bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites or bites from other insects, and some people show no reaction at all to bed bug bites. So it’s no wonder they go undetected for long periods. Bed bugs might be present if you are waking up with bites you can’t explain. The biting pattern is usually in straight rows, unlike the sporadic biting of other insects. Also look for:

  • Raised, red welts
  • Burning and itching
  • Bed bug bite rash across localized area

Bed Bug Evidence in the Room

Bed bugs are clever enough to hide during the day but leave behind the evidence of their blood-thirsty crimes. Their carelessness is one of the best indicators your room is overrun with bed bugs. You will often see evidence of a bed bug infestation without actually seeing any bed bugs. Below are secondary signs you can look for.

  • Fecal stains in the areas they inhabit
    • Fecal spots will not flake off if rubbed and will smear if wiped with a wet rag
    • Fecal stains will be black due to the digested blood that is excreted
  • Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed
  • A clear bed bug shell, or exoskeleton, which is shed as the bed bug grows larger
  • A live bed bug

I Have Evidence of Bed Bugs, But How Do I Find Them?

Bed bugs hide in a variety of places when they are not feeding. If you know the right place to look, you may be able to spot bed bugs. Adult bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye. Their favorite spots include around the bed, near seams and tags of mattresses and box springs, and in cracks on the bed frame and headboard. If the room is heavily infested, bed bugs may be found in these additional places:

  • In seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains
  • In drawer joints
  • Under loose wall paper and wall hangings
  • In electrical outlets and appliances
  • At the junction where the wall and the ceiling meet

If you think bed bugs have invaded your home, call 866-591-3519 or contact Batzner online today! Our team of specialists will discuss treatment options and recommend the right plan for your property. Sleep well again and get all the beauty rest you deserve.

Bed Bug Infestation At Senior Apartment Building

The Challenge

For four years, a 12 story, 171-unit senior apartment building was dealing with a severe bed bug infestation in over 50 percent of the units.

To initially combat the infestation, the building owner purchased commercial-grade heat units, employing his maintenance staff to perform the treatments. He also upgraded his electrical system to meet voltage requirements for the units. In addition to purchasing heat units, as a secondary precaution, the manager hired a pest control company to perform chemical applications. All of this was done at a significant cost to the building owner.

After seeing very little improvement with the DIY heat treatments and chemical applications, and with the infestation rapidly spreading, the building manager attended Batzner Pest Control’s Bed Bug Seminar. Following the seminar, the building manager contacted Batzner Pest Control to inspect the building and devise a plan for the treatment of the bed bug infestation.

The Inspection

The building management was aware of bed bug activity in 39 units. After Batzner Pest Control did a full building inspection, it was discovered that 90 units had bed bug activity. During the inspection, Batzner Pest Control found evidence of wide spread, do-it-yourself treatments (dusts, sprays, foggers, bombs) being applied by tenants, which were ineffective and ultimately contributed to the infestation spreading.

“Due to the resiliency they’ve built up over the years, bed bugs tend to scatter when tenants use self-treatments,” said Randy Rupert, Bed Bug Team Leader. “And, when bed bugs scatter, they can easily travel from unit to unit by way of pipes, electrical wires, venting, under doors and under baseboards. That’s often how an infestation like this can spread so quickly.”

Prior to treatments, Rupert gave two educational presentations, one for the tenants and one for the staff.

Offering a brief summary of his presentations, Rupert said, “Pre-treatment preparation is really important, this way tenants and staff understand the process and how their partnership is imperative for a successful resolution. Other important topics such as stopping self-treatments, alerting management right away, and basic bed bug biology were also covered. My main goal is to prevent a re-infestation. If the tenants and staff understand what to look for, then the likelihood of an infestation recurring is greatly reduced.”

The Solution

In November 2015, Batzner Pest Control’s bed bug team began an aggressive chemical treatment program targeting the infested units. To ensure the bed bugs weren’t moving from an infested unit to an adjacent one, all units adjacent to an active unit were inspected, prior to the infested units being treated.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques were applied in conjunction with chemical treatments. The service specialist placed active and passive bed bug monitors, vacuumed, and used alternative treatments. Alternative treatments may involve bagging an infested, sensitive item, such as a laptop, in a bag with some fumigation strips.

Building staff supplied box spring and mattress encasements for all infested beds. They also laundered all bed linens from the infested units. Tenants followed Batzner’s pre-treatment preparation, kept building management informed about bed bug activity, and allowed access to all areas of their unit.

“This kind of cooperation is vital,” Rupert explains, “without it, it’s unlikely the infestation would have been brought under control.”

Timeline

Rupert attributes a wavering three percent infestation rate to new tenants. “As tenants come and go, bed bugs tend to hitch a ride, spreading the infestation.” Rupert said. “However, just this year, the building manager implemented pro-active inspections to target all new move-ins, which will help prevent the likelihood of another wide-spread infestation like the one in 2015.”

Customer Benefits
  • Manageable costs: The apartment building is paying almost 75 percent less for bed bug control at the end of 2017 compared to costs initially incurred in 2015.
  • Improved living/working conditions: The tenants of this building are living a better quality of life. The staff is working in a less stressful and safer environment.
  • Restored reputation: The building had a reputation for being infested. Their reputation has now been restored and will remain in good standing with their tenants while on our proactive bed bug treatment program.
  • Education: The staff and tenants are much more educated on bed bugs. Tenants are reporting activity to management much faster. These types of actions have helped keep new incidents and the spread of bed bugs to more manageable levels.
  • Proactive approach: The building staff now schedules proactive inspections, new move-in inspections and adjacent unit inspections, and single treatments when bed bug activity is reported.

Rupert warns, “Infestations can get out of hand when no one is told about the first incident. If you’re waking up with several bites, something is going on. Don’t wait, report it immediately. And, have your place inspected by a professional. Don’t try to handle the situation yourself, it’ll cost you more in the long run.”

How to Protect Yourself from Bed Bugs in Hotels

closeup of a bed bug on a person's skin

As expert hitchhikers, bed bugs are prevalent just about everywhere in the world. They are known as hitchhikers because they find their way into luggage, seams, pockets, and under collars, allowing them to hitch a ride undetected and spread from location to location. With due diligence before you travel, you can greatly reduce your risk of being bitten, or worse, bringing them home.

High-end Hotels Can Have Bed Bugs
Do not assume that a high-end establishment is exempt from bed bug issues. Unlike cockroaches, bed bugs have nothing to do with cleanliness. Bed bugs are attracted to three main things: warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. While cleanliness is a good start to catching in potential bed bug infestations, it is not a foolproof way of prevention. From five star hotels to run down hostels, bed bugs can be found wherever their hosts take them. If they are not discovered and eradicated, they continue to hitchhike rides on the next unsuspecting lodger and the cycle continues.

Research Before You Book
RESEARCH on the web. Check out public databases such as bedbugreports.com or registry.bedbugs.net for user-submitted bed bug reports in the U.S. and Canada. Also search the city name with the term ‘bed bugs’ to see if news stories come up calling out infestations.

Choose A Hotel That Follows Bed Bug Protocols
Before booking a room online, CALL first. Ask if they have bed bug protocols in place, from precautions to ensure pest-free rooms to an action plan if something is discovered. If they avoid the question, reconsider booking a room there. An establishment that has a policy in place will be happy to share it with you.

Print out our Bed Bug Safety Check List for pre, during and post vacation precautionary advice.

Check out our blogs, videos and handouts in our Resources area for additional bed bug information. Call us if you suspect you have brought bed bugs home with you—our trained bed bug specialists will offer support and direction on your options.

Bed Bugs: Where They Come from and How You Get Them

Bed bug on fabric by Batzner Pest Control in Wisconsin.

The sheer mention of bed bugs gives many people the creeps. The thought of them crawling on our skin and feeding on our blood while we’re asleep sends shivers down our spines! It doesn’t help that in recent years, the number of bed bug incidents has risen. So this begs the question, where do bed bugs come from and how do you get a bed bug infestation?

Let us break it down.

Bed Bug Travel Motivation

Bed bugs are blood-eating insects. They require blood to breed and blood meals to survive; but unlike mosquitoes, they can’t fly to get to their food. And, unlike ticks, they don’t have the convenience of living on a host. Bed bugs must find another way to get the food they need.

Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs can be found all over the world and dwell almost exclusively with humans. While it is often assumed that they come from hotels and motels, the list of places bed bugs has been found is much more extensive, including the following:

  • Federal buildings
  • Police stations
  • Libraries
  • Theaters
  • A friend’s house
  • The home of a family member
  • Your workplace
  • Laundromats

How Do Bed Bugs Spread?

  1. Global Travel
    Traveling is one of bed bugs favorite things to do, and they are amazing hitchhikers! While traveling on an airplane, train, bus or any other type of public transportation, it’s possible you could be exposed to bed bugs. Bed bugs can catch a ride in or on luggage, bags, purses or even clothing, allowing them to spread anywhere humans settle.

    Hotels and other overnight facilities are giant magnets for bed bugs due to the high amount of human traffic, providing bed bugs with countless opportunities to hitch a ride to an array of locations. If you spend the night in a hotel, motel, or resort, no matter how clean and well kept, be sure to do an inspection for bed bugs. Hotels are at just as much risk of obtaining a bed bug problem as they are of spreading one. Bed bugs in one room can easily move to other rooms through vents and walls, which creates serious problems. If you work in hospitality, be proactive and stay alert for bed bugs – this could help you avoid a public relations issue.

  2. Shared Living Spaces
    Bed bug migration, especially in shared housing situations like condos, apartments and dormitories, is common since they can crawl over 100 feet in a night. They are known to go through tiny cracks in walls, through connected vents, or even in the seams of floor boards! Of course, they can also travel the old-fashioned way: simply crawling out a front door, down the hall and into another apartment.
  3. Yard Sales
    Everyone likes a bargain, but beware on your next cruise through a flea market or yard sale. Bed bugs are often introduced into a home on items already infested. If a piece of furniture is infested with bed bugs, especially pregnant females or their eggs, there is a high possibility that the new owner will have a bed bug problem on their hands. This includes used clothing, pre-owned mattresses, and other types of furniture. The best way to avoid this is to not buy used items– but if you do, check it for evidence of bed bugs before you take the items inside your home. Do not use furniture that appears to be infested. It will save you a big headache in the future!

  1. House Guests
    Hosting family and friends from out of town is something many of us do at some point. When guests come to stay at your home, they may unknowingly bring bed bugs with them. The bugs could come from your guest’s home or they could have been picked up while traveling. Because college dorms are also a haven for this pest, students returning home for holidays or the summer may bring home bed bugs hidden in their belongings. A good precaution is to wash all guest bedding on the hottest temperature once they have departed.

How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs

Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy to spot bed bugs in your home, as they often dwell in areas out of plain sight, only vacating their hiding spots to grab a bite to eat from human hosts. They also tend to feed on you when you’re sleeping, which is not very conducive to catching their activity.

The first sign you might have a bed bug problem can be waking up to find bites on your body. However, it is important to understand that identifying bed bug bites can be a bit difficult as everyone reacts differently to them. To make things even more complicated, not everyone reacts to the bites.

Additional Bed Bug Evidence

Aside from discovering suspicious bites, there are also some signs that you might have a bed bug problem. They are:

  • Dark/black stains around your mattress and bed frame, particularly around the joints and slats
  • Small dark blood spots on your bedding
  • Live bed bugs on furniture joints and skirting boards

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

It is important to understand that bed bugs in your home or business is not something to be ashamed of; they are not a result of uncleanliness or lack of proper sanitation. They are hitchhikers and opportunists simply on the lookout for their next blood meal. Embarrassment should not prevent you from seeking help from bed bug professionals. This is a pest problem that will not go away unless treated properly.

If you have seen signs indicating bed bugs, reach out to a pest professional as soon as possible. Delaying treatment of an infestation results in a more difficult treatment process. Eliminating bed bugs can be tough, so consult with a professional who knows how to get rid of them properly.

If you are looking for assistance to control bed bugs in your home or businesses, contact the experts at Batzner today.