What is the Cost to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

One of our newest members is Spotta, an international pest control company. The following blog content was provided by Spotta.

Bed bugs are notorious pests in the hotel industry worldwide. They damage hotel reputations and can be real irritants to guests.

However, revenue and cost management are critical in the hotel industry in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Hotels need to balance increased hygiene practices while managing rising costs.

Removing bed bugs is costly, but failing to address the problem in time could cause serious revenue loss. So, what’s the real cost of bed bugs in hotels?

Removal

Removal is the first expense to be considered when dealing with bed bugs. Exterminators and pest control experts can charge between $200 and $300 per room.

In a hotel, bed bugs spread quickly. The longer it takes to detect the problem, the more likely it is that the infestation has spread further. The more infected rooms, the more expensive the removal.

Legal

Ideally, you catch a bed bug infestation before guests are impacted. However, this isn’t always the case. If a bed bug bites a guest, they can hold the hotel management liable.

In previous bed bug cases, settlements have ranged from $25,000-$50,000. The worst cases have seen settlements reach $500,000. It is the hotel owner’s responsibility to keep guests safe and in a hygienic environment, so these cases can be challenging to fight.

Reputation

Damage to reputation and loss of room revenue can be one of the longest-standing costs associated with bed bugs. A poor reputation can impact the business for much longer than a singular outlay for extermination.

Poor reviews as a result of bed bugs, evidence of fumigation, or publication of legal cases could all impact booking numbers. Ultimately, you need full rooms to meet revenue goals.

At Spotta, our bed bug identification service helps you to recognize bed bugs in hotel rooms before they can spread. Get in touch to learn more today.