
Bed bugs are problematic for many industries, including: property management, retail, food & beverage, hospitality, transportation, and healthcare.
If not handled properly, bed bug infestations can be a public relations nightmare, resulting in damaged reputation, lost revenue, possible litigation, and in extreme cases, closure.
For a free site evaluation and same-day scheduling, contact a Commercial Pest Control specialist today!

Detection and Inspection are Critical
Early detection of bed bugs is crucial, but it’s only the beginning. As soon as bed bugs are suspected, a thorough inspection should be made to determine the extent of the infestation.
Next, a treatment strategy and follow-up plan that includes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be discussed. Modern Pest can provide training to help employees identify bed bugs and understand how to prevent bed bug infestations from occurring.
Bed bugs usually hitchhike to a location on people or objects. Once inside, they are extremely mobile. Preventing a bed bug infestation is not easy, but awareness, education, and diligence are key elements in reducing the risk of an infestation.
The first step to understanding commercial bed bug control is to learn the facts about these nocturnal creatures, including identification, signs, and habits.
Property Management
As a property manager, you deal with varying rates of turnover and occupancy. Since bed bugs are brought in from the outside, it can be a struggle to control bed bug activity in your units. There’s just no guarantee that the new tenants aren’t bringing bed bugs along with their mattress. Property managers like you need to develop a strategy to manage the cycle of bed bug infestations.
Retail
Beg bug infestations in retail settings are common. Unfortunately, more customers mean more chances of bed bug exposure in your store or shopping mall. Bed bugs are found on returned merchandise, store furniture, in carpets and excess fabrics, in changing rooms, and in shipping areas. They’re also common in employee gathering areas like breakrooms and lounges. Your retail staff should know the signs of bed bugs to help avoid infestations.
Food & Beverage
A bed bug infestation could occur in your restaurant, café, or bar when the bugs are transported in on clothes, or accessories like luggage, purses, and briefcases. When your customer leaves, the bed bugs stay behind. It’s important to have a protocol in place, and to educate your staff about the biology and habits of this blood sucking pest.
Hospitality
Bed bugs are finding their way into hotels, motels, and B&Bs across the country. They are introduced by lodgers, and can be a significant risk to your brand if not detected early. These pests can quickly spread from one room to the next as they retreat to wall voids and other hiding spots after a meal. Housekeeping staff needs to be vigilant and know what to look for as they clean vacated rooms.
Transportation
Bed bugs are found wherever people congregate. As travel rates increase, bed bug infestations are being discovered aboard aircraft, trains, subways, and motor coaches, as well as in airports and bus terminals. Early detection is critical in your industry so that the bugs can be stopped before they spread among travelers and hurt your reputation.
Healthcare
Bed bug infestations are increasing in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and even hospital emergency rooms. The pests hitchhike in on patients and visitors. Protect your reputation by having an identification and control plan in place.
Bed Bug Facts
Identifying bed bugs
The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is the species most adapted to living with humans. Bed begs are parasites that feed on humans. Often mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches, adult bed bugs are reddish-brown or mahogany in color and flat. Female bed bugs have a round body, while males are more oval shaped. Though their anatomy includes primitive wings, bed bugs cannot fly. They grow to about 1/4″ long and 1/8″ wide, or about the size of an apple seed.
Bed bug “hitchhikers”
Bed bugs do not fly or jump, but can move rapidly over floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Well known for their hitchhiking capabilities, bed bugs are brought into an environment from the outside and are often unknowingly transported and relocated as people and personal items travel.
Bed bugs can easily hitch rides on items such as:
- luggage
- backpacks
- briefcases
- clothing
- shoes
- handbags
- used furniture (chairs, couches, dressers, beds)
Hiding spots for bed bugs:
- seams of mattresses and box springs
- furniture such as bed frames, headboards, night stands, and dressers
- items such as lamps, clocks, telephones, etc.
- flooring, carpets, baseboards, and wood trim
- curtains and upholstery
- wallpaper and picture frames
- electrical switches and outlets
- clothing, clutter or objects near a bed
- Sofas or chairs used for sleeping or long periods of rest
Habitat for bed bugs
Bed bugs are not the result of someone’s social status or cleanliness so no one is immune to getting them. Bed bugs are found anywhere people live and congregate and infestations have occurred in many different types of facilities, including:
- apartments/condos
- single-family homes
- hotels/motels
- schools/college dorms
- homeless shelters
- healthcare facilities
- retail stores/businesses
- public venues (e.g. movie theaters)
- various modes of transportation
Bed bug feeding
Bed bugs do not attach to hair or skin or live on people like lice, but generally come out at night to prey on their hosts and feed on any skin exposed while sleeping. Humans are the preferred host, but they will feed on other hosts, such as poultry, mice, rats, canaries, dogs and cats.
Bed bugs feed by piercing the skin with an elongated beak through which they withdraw blood. Their saliva contains a numbing chemical that prevents the host from feeling the bite and they also administer an anti-coagulant when they bite, allowing the blood to flow more freely. Bed bugs feed from 3–10 minutes and consume up to 3 times their body weight in a single feeding. Immediately after feeding, they retreat to their hiding spot to digest their meal. Bed bugs generally feed every 2 weeks and can live up to a year without feeding.
Identifying bed bug bites
A single bed bug can bite a dozen or more times in a night. Symptoms after being bitten vary with each individual, but many develop an itchy red welt or localized swelling. 50% of bite victims have little or no reaction to bed bugs, some reactions are delayed, and some bites can cause allergic reactions or rashes. Though bed bugs do not transmit disease, they can take a real emotional toll on their victims, causing discomfort, sleeplessness, anxiety, stress, and embarrassment.
Bed Bug Treatment Process
Modern Pest Services offers both conventional chemical treatment and Thermal Remediation® or heat treatment to its commercial and residential customers throughout New England. Our Heat Treatment program is environmentally friendly and a safe alternative for immediate results. Modern Pest Services also provides a more economical and traditional chemical solution for effective results.
Inspection • Treatment • Prevention • Training
Whether you own a home or a business, early detection of bed bugs is critical, but it’s only the beginning. As soon as bed bugs are suspected, call Modern Pest Services for a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the infestation. Then a treatment strategy and follow up plan, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. For businesses, Modern will provide training to help employees identify bed bugs and understand how to prevent bed bug infestations from occurring.
Working with a Pest Management Professional (PMP)
Business owners, property managers, homeowners and renters play an important role in the elimination of bed bug infestations and need to work closely with their pest management professional (PMP) throughout the entire process. This includes following preparation guidelines prior to treatments and being aware of preventative measures to prevent recurring bed bug infestations.
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