Bed Bugs in Hotels: The Unwanted Guest You Never Want in a Bed

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have accompanied humans since prehistoric times. As they thrive in environments where people live and sleep, they have moved with us from caves into apartments, houses – and hotels.

These unwelcome intruders can appear in any property. However, with the right preventive measures – and with properly designed hotel beds and mattresses – you can significantly reduce the risk and impact of an infestation. With more than 30 years of experience, UNAR designs and manufactures beds and mattresses in a way that limits potential hiding spaces and makes survival conditions for bed bugs more difficult.

Why Bed Bugs Are a Growing Hospitality Risk

Bed bugs were already mentioned in ancient Greek literature. Although nearly eradicated in the late 20th century, they have made a significant comeback in recent decades across the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and parts of Africa. The main reason is believed to be increased resistance to modern pesticides.

Importantly, the presence of bed bugs is not a sign of poor hygiene. They can be brought in by guests’ luggage or spread between neighbouring rooms and buildings. Adult bed bugs measure only 6–7 mm and have flat bodies, allowing them to move through extremely narrow gaps, including along electrical wiring or structural joints.

Using heat sensors, they detect the optimal place to feed and can consume up to three times their body weight in blood during a single feeding. The good news is that, according to current knowledge, bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases. The bad news is the reputational and operational damage they can cause in hospitality environments.

How to Detect and Eliminate Bed Bugs

Eradicating bed bugs is a complex and time-consuming process that usually requires repeated treatment.

• Signs include bite marks and small black droppings in bed structures, on mattresses, under sheets and around headboards. Eggs or live insects may also be visible.
• Thorough vacuuming is essential – including cracks, mattress undersides, headboard areas and behind loose wallpaper. Bed bugs typically remain within 1.5 metres of the bed.
• Items suspected of infestation should be sealed in airtight plastic bags before cleaning.
• Avoid moving items to other rooms to prevent spreading the infestation.
• Bed bugs can survive up to one year without feeding, so untreated sealed items may still pose a risk.
• Special impermeable mattress encasements can help isolate and eliminate infestations.
• In severe cases, some items – including heavily infested mattresses – may need to be disposed of.
• No 100% effective universal pesticide exists. However, bed bugs cannot survive prolonged exposure below 7°C or above 45°C.
• Non-absorbent surfaces should be cleaned with hot water and detergent.
• Textiles must be washed at the highest possible temperature and tumble-dried at high heat. Alternatively, prolonged exposure to deep freezing temperatures is effective.
• Professional pest control companies often use high-temperature steam treatment.

Prevention Is Always More Cost-Effective Than Remediation

If your property is facing a bed bug issue and you are unsure how to proceed, consult professionals immediately. Beyond offering expert advice, we can recommend trusted specialists with experience in hospitality environments.

And remember: properly designed hotel beds and mattresses significantly reduce potential hiding places and make infestations more difficult.

Image credits: Adult bed bugs and nymphs / Macro detail of adult bed bug / Bed bug eggs and droppings in bed frame / Typical bite marks / Common hiding locations