Advice
Signs of Bed Bugs and What to Do Next
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that hide close to where people sleep, and knowing the early signs helps you act before they spread through a home.
Read the guide →
Holiday lets and guest houses are exposed to bed bugs because visitors bring luggage from everywhere, so early checks and a calm response protect both guests and bookings.
Bed bugs travel on people, not on dirt. Every guest who arrives with a suitcase may unknowingly bring them from a previous stay, a train, a second-hand purchase or a friend's home. Accommodation that welcomes many different visitors through the year is therefore more likely to meet them at some point, however well it is cleaned.
Devon has plenty of seaside cottages, farm stays, campsite lodges and guest houses that fill up through the summer and quieten in winter. That turnover pattern is exactly where small problems go unnoticed until a guest complains.
Make bed checks part of your normal changeover routine. A cleaner who knows what to look for is your strongest early warning, because bed bugs are easier to deal with when only a few are present. Lift the mattress, look along seams and check the headboard and bed base.
Report anything that looks like the following to the owner or manager straight away.
If a guest reports bites, stay calm and take it seriously. Apologise for their experience, offer to move them to another room only if you are confident the new room is clear, and avoid blaming anyone. Bed bugs are a common problem for the industry and not a sign of poor standards.
Do not move bedding or belongings through the property until the cause is known, as this can spread bugs. Keep a note of what was reported and when. We can then identify the problem and tell you whether it is bed bugs or something else, such as fleas or mosquitoes.
While you wait for professional help, take the affected room out of use if you can. Bag soiled linen in sealed bags before it leaves the room and wash it on a hot setting, then dry it on a hot setting. Vacuum the bed area and put the contents in a sealed bag outside.
Check neighbouring rooms in the same way, since bugs can move through walls and along pipework. Keep records of dates, rooms and guests affected, which helps us trace where the problem started.
Do not use shop-bought sprays or foggers in rooms that guests will sleep in. They seldom reach the places bed bugs hide, they can push bugs into other rooms, and chemical residue near bedding is a concern for guests and staff.
Avoid dumping a mattress or furniture without telling us first. Moving it through shared areas can spread bugs, and replacing a bed will not fix the problem if the bugs are in the room. Also resist the urge to hide the problem from guests, as honest, prompt action protects your reputation far better.
Call us as soon as you find evidence or receive a complaint. Bed bug treatment needs expert knowledge, correct preparation of the room and usually follow-up visits to catch newly hatched bugs. We check connected rooms as well, so that the problem is not simply moved along the corridor.
We can plan around your bookings where possible and explain exactly what the room needs before it returns to use. Quick action shortens the time a room is out of service, and it prevents guests carrying bugs home with them.
Routine inspection is the most useful habit. Train cleaners to check beds at every changeover, and use smooth mattress and pillow covers that leave fewer hiding places. Keep rooms uncluttered, and give guests somewhere to place luggage that is away from the bed.
Think about the furniture you buy, too. Second-hand beds, sofas and headboards can bring bugs in from outside, so inspect them carefully first. A brief note in your guest information asking visitors to tell you about any concerns during their stay helps you respond early.
Not necessarily. Bed bugs arrive with guests and their belongings, and they can affect clean, well run properties as easily as any other. What matters is how quickly and sensibly you respond once you discover them.
Being open with affected guests is the fair and sensible approach, particularly if they have been bitten. Handle it calmly, explain what you are doing and arrange alternative accommodation if needed. Hiding it usually causes more harm to your standing than the problem itself.
This depends on how widespread the problem is and the treatment needed. Many cases need more than one visit, because eggs hatch after the first treatment. We will give you a clear plan and an idea of timing after inspecting the room.
Yes. They can crawl along pipes, cables and wall gaps, and they can be carried on linen, trolleys and luggage. That is why we inspect adjoining rooms and advise on handling linen carefully, rather than treating only the room where the complaint came from.
If you would like a professional to look at the problem, call us on 01392 590 140 or send an enquiry.
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that hide close to where people sleep, and knowing the early signs helps you act before they spread through a home.
Read the guide →Pests follow the seasons, and knowing what to expect in each part of the year helps Devon householders spot problems early and act at the right time.
Read the guide →Call us, message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry. We will agree the price with you before any work starts.