6 Ways To Help Prevent Bed Bug Infestations At Your Office Property
Did you know bed bugs are showing up for work? After years of tormenting the hospitality and multifamily industries, bed bugs have worked their way into office properties. These pests are difficult to detect and to control – especially without the cooperation of your tenants, staff and pest management provider.
Make sure you aren’t asleep on the job when bed bugs enter your office – take these A-C-T-I-O-N steps to help protect your property.
Awareness
Keep an eye out – one in 10 office managers has experienced bed bugs at a commercial property. These pests can sometimes even be seen in offices during the day and are frequently introduced by business travelers and apartment dwellers.
Communication
Educate your tenants about where you can typically find bed bugs in the office, such as office chairs, lounge/lobby furniture, desks, walls/cubicle dividers and behind artwork. Also make sure they know your bed bug policy, including responsibility for notification and remediation.
Training
Consult your pest management provider about training tenants, maintenance professionals, cleaning crews and other building staff about bed bugs. The training could include a demonstration of a bed bug inspection routine that tenants can do on their own, and tips for helping prevent bed bugs while away from the office.
Inspection
Encourage routine inspections of your office buildings for bed bugs. During inspections, you should look for live bed bugs in any stage, cast off skins, and dark, inky stains that are known as fecal smears.
Openness
While bed bug presence is not an indication of cleanliness standards, many are embarrassed to admit there is an issue. Urge your tenants to establish a reporting protocol with their HR manager to address the problem early, and be available to connect tenants with your pest management provider to answer questions.
Notification
If bed bugs are detected, notify your pest management provider immediately. Do not move any of the items infested with bed bugs, as that can result in further infestation, and notify your tenants of the situation and treatment protocol recommended by your provider.