Pest Control

[Bruce-And-Debra0]

Have any other hosts had to deal with a bed bug infestation? We keep our cabin very clean but a recent guest inadvertently brought in bed bugs, now we have to cancel several guests so that we can have the bugs exterminated. It is very costly, both with lost guests as well as the pest control costs. It is very frustrating/ Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you.

Bruce

[Kate867]

@Bruce-And-Debra0  I think this is every Hosts ‘Nightmare in Waiting’  In an ideal world we should be able to claim off the guest for this, but proving which guest actually introduced the bed bugs into your listing would be very difficult I suspect as they will travel in luggage, on clothes and migrate over time.   All you can realistically do is be extremely vigilant in checking for these issues between guests.

[Gillian166]

I wouldn't rely of extermination, that won't work IMHO. i'd buy a new bed instead. It's probably faster! 

my husband brought home bed bugs once, and i did a lot of research, nothing really kills them easily, and they can live a long time without food. we bought a silk bed bug mattress protector for our mattress (was @ $200), threw away the pillows, and got rid of our fabric bed (put it in quarantine for 2 years! pulled it out last year when we moved house and are using it again) and bought a simple timber bed. I also got diatomaceous earth and puffed it around the room when empty, we let the room sit empty for a week just to be safe, and i vacuumed daily, and slept in the guest room. we did let off one of those "flea bomb" type things but they don't claim to kill bed bugs, but husband just needed to try everything. 

I doubt you'll be able to blame any guests, they probably would blame you if they've returned home and taken some there too! 

[Gwen386]

As @Kate867 said, it is our worst nightmare. As @Gillian166 said, it would be difficult to determine which guests brought them in. 

We just have to be really, really diligent. One of the things I add to my cleanup regimen is vacuuming my mattresses and boxsprings, and all couch and chair cushions after every guest vacates the premises.