by Shane Henson — August 22, 2011—The offices, schools, hospitals, hotels and other large buildings that facilities personnel help to manage are not immune to the bed bug problem that has received widespread attention during the past year, according to a new survey. Facilities managers are having to respond to bed bug complaints in record numbers and to do so in a timely and effective manner to ensure the health of everyone who enters and leaves their buildings.
According to the 2011 Bugs Without Borders Survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, bed bug infestations have increased and are now being found just about everywhere. The study, which surveyed U.S. pest management professionals, found that 99% of respondents encountered bed bug infestations in the past year. One of the most significant findings is that bed bug encounters have become much more common in public places than the previous year, in some instances increasing by 10, 20 or nearly 30%.
While nine out of ten respondents have treated bed bugs in apartments, condominiums and single-family homes in 2011 and 2010, in the past year reports of bed bug encounters have become more common in many other places. For example, the numbers of professionals who treated college dorms, hotels, nursing homes, office buildings, schools and daycare centers, hospitals, public transportation and movie theaters for bed bugs have all increased compared to last year. More specifically:
- College dorms (54%, up from 35% a year ago)
- Hotels/motels (80%, up from 67%)
- Nursing homes (46%, up from 25%)
- Office buildings (38%, up from 18%)
- Schools and day care centers (36%, up from 10%)
- Hospitals (31%, up from 12%)
- Movie theaters (17%, up from 5%)
Facilities managers wanting information on how to prevent and combat bed bug infestations can visit the NPMA’s bed bug resource, “All Things Bed Bugs.”
