It’s an unpleasant fact (and an even worse problem to deal with): the threat of bedbugs is here to stay. Even though shocking headlines about bedbugs in hotels aren’t plaguing the news these days, according to recent studies, infestations continue to rise nationwide. Now is not the time to let your guard down, but luckily, there are simple ways to stay vigilant.

What you can and should be doing is training your staff to regularly watch out for these pests. Here's what to look for:

• Red or rust colored stains on bed sheets or mattresses
• Small dark spots (bed bug excrement) that have bled onto sheets like a marker
• Eggs and eggshells (they’re about 1mm in size)
• Pale yellow skins that have been shed by nymphs

Around mattresses and box springs, here’s where to look:

• Near the piping and seams
• By the tags
• In cracks on the bed frame and headboard

It's also worth considering purchasing encasements for your mattresses and box springs. These can trap and kill any bedbugs that may be living in a mattress. If a guest's luggage brings new bugs in, encasements can stop the bugs from entering your mattresses. Since the financial consequences of a full-blown infestation could be devastating, preventative measures like encasements are worth the upfront investment.

When selecting encasements, look for products that are light in color since that makes bedbugs easier to see. Tightly woven covers resist tearing, and zippered options offer the best protection. Once on, encasements should remain there for at least one year (since bedbugs can live that long without feeding).

For more information and to learn more about the mattress encasements we offer, contact us today.