Bed bugs

[Janice135]

Hello, I'm Janice and have been hosting for eight years.  Unfortunately, my worst nightmare has happened and now I have bed bugs.  I am actively working with a pest control company which has been to my cabin twice in the last two weeks to spray and lay down sticky traps.  I have also ordered a bed bug mattress encasement to put on mattress and box spring.  Honestly, this is stressing me out and I'm in panic mode instead of thinking with a straight head since from what I've read online, it takes time to treat the bugs and using integrated pest mgmt. (IPM) is a good technique.  I want to be a responsible host and was wondering if I should block nights on my listing until pest control company can't find any bugs, or keep hosting while being treated using the IPM techniques currently being used.  I have four people booked for this month and the other nights I've blocked.  Looking for advice whether I should ask those four people to cancel or let them stay.  All recommendations are welcome!

[Helen3]

It's a horrible thing to happen  @Janice135 . And yes absolutely you can't allow guests to stay until you have the all clear. 

normally pest control advises you to wait two weeks before they come back to test after spraying. 

you can't ask guests to cancel you need to cancel . As you will already have advised Airbnb of the bed bug incident they should allow you to cancel penalty free and will require evidence of treatment, 

[Paula]

Thanks so much for sharing this suggestion, @Helen3 

@Janice135, please keep us posted once you have a chance to read this. Hopefully, this will all be resolved soon.

Let us know what you decide to do in the end.

[Janice135]

Hello, 

I reported to Airbnb my pest problem when I was first alerted to it and immediately started working with pest control company.  They came out in beginning of June and sprayed, then rechecked two weeks later and found one. Last week they sprayed again and found one while in cabin.  Tech said to seal up any cracks where they could hide out.  Plus they put out sticky traps on the floor.  Info I've read online says to be patient since they are very crafty.  Glad when I get the all clear, but will still feel paranoid for a while.  

Thanks again to Helen for commenting!