Park Tower Inn Pigeon Forge Tn Bed Bugs (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if a hotel has bed bugs? ›

Pull back the bed sheets and blankets and check the mattress and box spring seams for bugs, especially at the head of the bed. Adults, nymphs, and eggs are visible to the naked eye. Also keep your eyes peeled for exoskeletons (casings that the bugs leave behind when they molt) and dark, rust-colored spots.

In 2005, nearly 20 percent of Tennessee counties reported bed bugs. By December 2012, bed bugs were reported in 60 percent of Tennessee counties and could well be more widespread than reported.

But how common is it to actually come across these pesky blood-sucking insects when you travel? A new survey from The Sleep Doctor released this week shows that one in seven (or 14%) of U.S. travelers reported a bed bug encounter in the past year, and 20 percent of those sightings happened in five-star hotels.

From a probability standpoint, all hotels will deal with bed bugs at some point in time. If you think about a bed bug's method of travel, there's literally nothing a hotel can do to stop them from being carried in.

Pest professionals report higher demand for bed bug eradication during the warmer months from June to October. Some suggest this is because of higher temperatures and humidity during this time, but many believe it's actually more likely because of the summer travel season.

Oklahoma is the most at risk of bed bugs

We've analysed the search data, and Oklahoma comes top for bed bugs, at a huge 4,114 searches for them per 10,000 residents.

So, what is the main cause of bed bugs? Travel is widely recognized as the most common source of bed bug infestations. Often unbeknownst to the traveler, bed bugs will hitchhike on people, clothing, luggage, or other personal belongings and be accidentally transported to other properties.

Small objects and belongings left in the room will likely need to be treated with extreme heat, extreme cold, or hot steam in order to ensure that the bed bugs die. As needed, a pest control service may also use chemicals or other pesticides.

How to stop worrying about bed bugs? ›

When turning over a room between guests, housekeeping staff should inspect for bed bugs. This will help catch a bed bug problem early, before a new guest checks in.

Victims of bed bug bites can sue the hotel for ample compensation for their damages. You may be able to receive coverage for the following: Medical expenses from the past and future. Property damage for anything that was lost or needed to be repaired if the infestation spread to your home.

Although nocturnal, bedbugs don't necessarily feed every night -- it could take days or weeks before you notice bedbug bites. Bedbug bites can look similar to other insect bites -- if confused with mosquito or flea bites, you may not think to check for bedbugs until other symptoms crop up.

Adult bedbugs are oval, reddish-brown and flat. Younger ones can be difficult to see because they're so small. And there's a reason they're called bedbugs: They like to lurk during the daytime where people sleep and feed on them at night (bed bugs feed on both human and animal blood).

Look carefully at your blankets, sheets, and mattress pads and then check the mattress and box spring. Are there specks of blood anywhere, especially near the seams? If so, there could be a bedbug infestation. You should also check for specks of blood on all upholstered furniture, including couches and headboards.

Fully inspect the headboard, checking in between any design patterns. Move the bed away from the wall to check behind and underneath. Check any and all crevices, corners, joints, carvings and any over small cracks and holes on the bed frame. Inspect the bedding.

Do a quick check of pillows and upholstered furniture for signs of bed bugs. If you can, check behind headboards and open the drawers of the nightstands and look inside. For short stays, consider keeping your clothes in your luggage. Keep bags closed when not in use.