Bedbugs in the Workplace: What You Need to Know

Written by Christopher Westcott on . Posted in Insider

By now, we are all aware that “bedbugs are back”. Actually, they never truly left. Once nearly eradicated by DDT (which also nearly eradicated everything else), bedbugs have seen a steady resurgence since it’s ban in the 1970s. Frequent articles, blogs, social media posts, and even TV news headlines are hard to miss. Hotels are under attack, it seems, as are schools, libraries, movie theaters, college campuses, day care centers….the list truly goes on and on.

One of the last places you would have expected to find bedbugs, however, is in the workplace (unless, of course, you work at any of the aforementioned places). But don’t let their name fool you…bedbugs are not relegated to places where people sleep. Offices, retail stores, courthouses…these places have all seen recent issues with bedbugs. In truth bedbugs can be found just about any place humans are found. As for your workplace, if there is a report of bedbugs…don’t panic! Here are some tips for you to steer clear and help prevent taking them home with you.

Top 50 Bedbug Cities: KnowBedBugs Newsletter Volume 19

Written by Christopher Westcott on . Posted in Newsletter

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NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 19        February 2020  

Bedbug Headlines * Certified Property Spotlight * Educational Resources

 

The annual list of the Top 50 Bedbug Cities, compiled by Orkin Pest, is here. Orkin uses the total number of bedbug calls, combining both residential and commercial properties, to compile this annual list. Baltimore drops the top spot this year, yielding that position to its southern neighboring city, our nation’s capital Washington DC. (We wonder if they are counting the politicians, too!) To see where your city ranks this year, continue reading below.

We have some BIG news of our won…Our NEW & IMPROVED website is now LIVE! Now it is even easier for hotels to:

  • Register your property
  • Register your staff
  • Train & Certify your employees

It’s all online, and is more cost-effective than ever before. You can train your whole staff for less than 1 bedbug treatment. Click this link to get started by claiming your property!
https://www.knowbedbugs.com/info-for-hotels-bed-bug-training-plan-overview

NOBBEL, Inc is the National Organization of Bed Bug Education for Lodging. We offer expert bedbug training and certifications to the lodging industry to help battle online reviews and build consumer confidence. Concerned travelers can book rooms with our certified locations on our website at www.KnowBedBugs.com. 

See what some of our certified partners are saying.

NOW ONTO THE HEADLINES!
 
 
  • DC tops Baltimore for this year’s top spot
  • Flint, MI jumps 16 spots
  • Police are “itching” to find the suspect
  • Surveillance cameras may spot who was “bugging” the store.
  • OSUKA, Women’s Tag Team Champion, tells all in YouTube Video
  • Got bedbugs on a flight to Boston
  • Workers accuse MTA of cover-up
  • Bedbugs found 2x in 5 day span

Actress Sues Princess Cruise over Bedbugs

  • Connie Flores & her husband have filed a lawsuit over their “horrific experience” on board.
  • Couple was celebrating their anniversary

WHERE DID YOU FIND BEDBUGS? 

Simple fact: Bedbugs can be found wherever humans are found. They hitchhike in our belongings to get from place to place.
Our mission is to help hotels “fight back” against bedbugs. People bring bedbugs into hotels. Hotels Are NOT to blame. 

Other places bedbugs have recently “bugged”:

At the Docks
Bath Iron Works Battling Bedbugs
Bath, ME

In Schools
Bedbugs Found at Kalamazoo Middle School
Kalamazoo, MI

Bedbugs Found in Classroom at Whittier Elementary School
Pittsburgh, PA

At the Library
Des Plains Library Pays $22,500 to Take Care of bedbug Problem
Des Plains, IL

On Campus
Bedbugs Found at Edinboro University Residence Hall
Erie, PA
Help Is On The Way!

Bed Bug App Helps Identify, Prevent & Eliminate Infestations

From home invasions to surprise travel mates, the Bed Bug Field Guide smartphone app provides information to assist with any encounter of the tiny pests. This app makes GREAT sense, especially to the frequent traveler.


Of course there are ways you can detect bedbug activity, even without the app. With our Bedbug Detection link, you will get all of the facts, photos and descriptions of bedbug activity that you need in order to avoid bedbugs. 
 
CERTIFIED PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT: 
The following hotel properties have achieved their NOBBEL certifications. Any guest would feel better about staying in a bed bug certified property, confident that the staff is well-trained, and that the property has a plan!

Is YOUR property NOBBEL certified? Get more information or claim your property here.

 


Holiday Inn Express Louisville Northeast
Louisville, KY


 


The Burgundy Inn
Ocean City, MD




Hyatt Place Blacksburg / University
Blacksburg, VA




Springhill Suites Greensboro
Greensboro, NC




The DeSoto
Savannah, GA


Guests can click “BOOK THIS HOTEL” on our site to reserve a room. We offer direct links to our certified properties websites, and do so at 0% commissions! Yet another reason to get your property certified today. Ready to get started? Claim your property here, or email us: info@knowbedbugs.com.

DID YOU KNOW:


Bed bugs can ingest seven times their own weight in blood, which would be the equivalent of an average-sized male drinking 120 gallons of liquid.

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KnowBedBugs Newsletter Volume 18 (Nov/Dec 2019)

Written by Christopher Westcott on . Posted in Newsletter

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NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 18        December 2019  

Bedbug Headlines * Certified Property Spotlight * Educational Resources

Happy Holidays!


The season is upon us, and the Holidays are a very busy time of the year for travelers and hotels alike. Family and friends gather to give thanks, break bread, share memories and make even more. The season is wonderful, but it isn’t without it’s own troubles!

The gathering of people, in any place, presents the potential for bedbug introductions. Even the icy temperatures outside do nothing to stop bedbugs from spreading, as written about in this article from the NY Times. Still, there are steps you can take to avoid bedbugs, as well as steps you can take to deal with that hitchhiker you might have brought home, and we will provide you some resources in this newsletter.

Because of the busy travel season, most hotel properties will see an increase in bedbug issues along with the increase in guests. Loss of consumer confidence AND loss of revenue make bedbugs one of the hardest issues currently facing hoteliers. This is why we started NOBBEL, Inc.

NOBBEL, Inc is the National Organization of Bed Bug Education for Lodging. We offer expert bedbug training and certifications to the lodging industry to help battle online reviews and build consumer confidence. Concerned travelers can book rooms with our certified locations on our website at www.KnowBedBugs.com. 

Hotel owners/managers can Join our growing list of certified properties. 

See what some of our certified partners are saying.
 

NOW ONTO THE HEADLINES!…


 
 
 
  • Although called “bedbugs”, mattresses aren’t the only place to look
  • Do you think the airplane is safe?
  • Issues still reported after 10 day closure
  • Spot-Treatment approach was not working
  • Library heat-treating all returned books
  • Visual Inspections also conducted on each return

Bedbugs Close Nye County Courthouse

  • Bedbugs found in 1 area
  • All offices closed as precaution

High Schools are Increasingly Targets:
3 Stories of Bedbugs in the Classroom
Prevention Tips and some “DIY”
Okay, so bedbugs are really NOT a “DIY” pest when it comes to treatment. They are very good hiders, have shown growing resistance to chemicals, and over-the-counter sprays may kill the bugs you see, but do nothing for the eggs that you don’t! Still, there are some preventative steps you can take to avoid bedbugs, and there are a few methods you can use to keep the bugs at bay. 

First, you need to know what bedbugs are and how they operate. Get familiar with the signs of activity so you can know what to look for! Use this link to educate yourself!

Second: If you DID happen to bring bedbugs home with you after a trip, in your luggage, etc…Don’t Panic! Here are some tips to help keep them under control:
https://www.knowbedbugs.com/i-brought-bed-bugs-home-in-my-luggage-now-what/

For a general, all around education, “DIY” tips, and scientific information, we have found this blog from Calgary.com very helpful. Sleep Tight: A Complete Guide to the Impact, Identification and Treatment of Bedbugs

For Travel, you should always perform your own inspections. Take along our free checklist for bedbugs in hotels, and use it to inspect your hotel room before you even unpack!

For hotels and their employees, education is KEY to getting ahead of this pervasive bedbug epidemic. That is what we do at NOBBEL. Use this link to claim your hotel and start your certification training today!
CERTIFIED PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT: 
The following hotel properties have achieved their NOBBEL certifications. Any guest would feel better about staying in a bed bug certified property, confident that the staff is well-trained, and that the property has a plan!

Is YOUR property NOBBEL certified? Get more information or claim your property here.

 


Holiday Inn Palm Beach Airport
Palm Beach, FL 


 


Residence Inn Blacksburg – University
Blacksburg, VA




Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fayetteville North
Fayetteville, NC




Towneplace Suites Columbia Southeast / Ft. Jackson
Columbia, SC




Courtyard by Marriott Ocean City Oceanfront
Ocean City. MD


Guests can click “BOOK THIS HOTEL” on our site to reserve a room. We offer direct links to our certified properties websites, and do so at 0% commissions! Yet another reason to get your property certified today. Ready to get started? Claim your property here, or email us: info@knowbedbugs.com.
DID YOU KNOW:


Bedbugs produce a pheromone that give off an unpleasant, musky odor? It’s true. If your room smells terrible, these critters might be to blame!
 



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KnowBedBugs Newsletter Volume 17 (Oct 2019)

Written by Christopher Westcott on . Posted in Newsletter

 
 

NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 17        October 2019  

Bedbug Headlines * Certified Property Spotlight * Did You Know?

 

It’s October, and that means Halloween is near! This time of the year is both fun, and yes, even scary for some. With frequent mentions of ghosts and ghouls, zombies and monsters, our imaginations run wild with creepy thoughts and horrific costume ideas. We think this costume, for instance, is about the scariest we have seen!

Why is this so scary? Just ask anyone who has battled bedbugs. Their diet consists of human blood, they are VERY hard to get rid of, and they can be expensive to get rid of, too! For this reason, it is important to become familiar with bedbugs, and the signs of bedbug activity. Our site has all of the information you need. Trust us, you don’t want this hitchhiker coming home with you!

Bedbugs are even MORE frightening to our friends in the hospitality industry. One negative review about bedbugs can cost a loss of consumer confidence. This equals a loss of money, aside from treatment costs, and make bedbugs one of the hardest issues currently facing hoteliers. This is why we started NOBBEL, Inc.

NOBBEL, Inc is the National Organization of Bed Bug Education for Lodging. We offer bedbug training, testing and certifications to the lodging industry to help battle online reviews and build consumer confidence. Concerned travelers can book rooms with our certified locations on our website at www.KnowBedBugs.com. Join our growing list of certified properties. See what some of our certified partners are saying.

In this harrowing issue:

  • Headlines: The latest SPOOKY bed bug news from across the country
  • Certified Property Spotlight: These properties won’t give you the chills!
  • Did You Know?: A little fact about bedbugs for that new wrinkle in your brain

Want to increase direct bookings? Increase profits? Concerned travelers can book rooms via direct links to our certified properties, commission-free! Join our growing list of certified properties.
 

 

11 BEDBUG HORROR STORIES

 

  • Submitted by REDDIT users who have battled bedbugs
  • Warning: These stories might make your skin crawl!

 

  • Even the Pest Control Professionals were shocked
  • The residents STILL slept on this mattress

 

  • How to handle an unresponsive landlord
  • Help alleviating the pesky critters

 

  • Baltimore hold down the Top Spot
  • East Coast occupies MANY of the Top Cities

 

  • Treatments are becoming more expensive as the bugs take hold
  • Is competition good for pricing? 

 

 

WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE, THERE CAN BE BEDBUGS: 
Yes, hotels are a hotbed (no pun intended) for bedbugs to spread from one unsuspecting guest to another. But PEOPLE bring them into hotels. Hotels Are NOT to blame, and not the only place you find bedbugs!

Here are some other places bedbugs can be found:

Hospitals
Hospital restricts access to Cancer Center’s outpatient area due to bedbugs
Glens Falls, NY

School:
Call center employees told to work through bedbug inspection
Toronto, ON CANADA

The MVA or DMV:
Employees want answers after bedbug issues hit MVA branch
Parkville, MD

Entire School DISTRICT!:
Bedbugs force Western PA School district to close
Munhall, PA

 

CERTIFIED PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT: 
The following hotel properties have achieved their NOBBEL certifications. Any guest would feel better about staying in a bed bug certified property, confident that the staff is well-trained, and that the property has a plan!

Is YOUR property NOBBEL certified? Get more information or claim your property here.

 


Holiday Inn Columbia-East Jessup
Columbia MD 


 


Hyde Beach Resort & Residences
Hollywood FL




Sleep Inn & Suites Marion – Military Institute
Marion, AL




Showboat Hotel
Atlantic City, NJ




Beach View Hotel
Rehoboth Beach DE


Guests can click “BOOK THIS HOTEL” on our site to reserve a room. We offer direct links to our certified properties websites, and do so at 0% commissions! Yet another reason to get your property certified today. Ready to get started? Claim your property here, or email us: info@knowbedbugs.com.

 

DID YOU KNOW:
Bedbugs ARE visible to the naked eye, even the eggs. Still, for inspections, be sure to use a flashlight and magnifying glass to help you find signs of their activity.
 

For more hints and updates, sign-up for our blog:

 

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Bedbugs in the Headlines – Volume 16

Written by admin on . Posted in Newsletter

NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 16        February 2019  

Bedbug Headlines * Certified Property Spotlight * Did You Know?

Spring is nearly here, and for many people that means Spring Cleaning is here, too. The same is true in the hospitality industry, especially for seasonal hotels. Hotel managers are starting to get ready for the start of the Summer season, and this often means minor repairs/renovations, new mattresses and even increased staff. Training new staff on property procedures and company policy is a priority. Bedbug training needs to be included. Don’t you want your staff to be as educated about this epidemic as possible?

2018 Top Stories: Bedbugs in the Headlines

Written by admin on . Posted in Newsletter

 
 

NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 15        December 2018  

2018 Top 10 Headlines * Certified Property Spotlight * Did You Know?
 

Welcome to our December “Year in Review” Newsletter!

The end of 2018 can only mean one thing…it’s resolution-making time! We all want to start out the year “on a good note”, “put our best foot forward”, “make a change for the better”, and various other cliches – all well intended. The same is true in the hospitality industry, as hotel management looks to increase their margins, secure more direct online bookings, and decrease staff turnover, to name a few. Staff training should also make that list, bedbug training in specific.

November 2018 Newsletter Volume 14

Written by admin on . Posted in Newsletter


 

NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 14        November 2018  

Headlines * Updates * Blogs * Helpful Hints * Certified Properties

 

Welcome to our November Newsletter Wrap-up!

Winter is upon us, and the Holidays are just about here. This time of the year is huge for travel, as family and friends come from near and far to gather, give thanks, share memories and make even more. 

For our friends in the hospitality industry, this time of the year can bring a much needed boost to sales after the annual fall cool-down. But greater traffic isn’t without it’s own troubles, and most properties will see an increase in bedbug issues along with the increase in guests. Loss of consumer confidence AND loss of $$ make bedbugs one of the hardest issues currently facing hoteliers. This is why we started NOBBEL, Inc.

The Horror of Bed Bugs: NOBBEL’s October 2018 Newsletter

Written by admin on . Posted in Newsletter

 
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NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 13        October 2018  

Headlines * Updates * Blogs * Helpful Hints * Certified Properties

Halloween brings out the ghouls, goblins and ghosts. Scary, yes, but reality can be even scarier. Just ask anyone who has battled bedbugs. Their diet consists of human blood…talk about your vampire nightmares! For this reason, it is important to become familiar with bedbugs, and the signs of bedbug activity. Our site has all of the information you need. Trust us, you don’t want this hitchhiker coming home with you!

For our friends in the hospitality industry, bed bugs are even more frightening. Loss of consumer confidence AND loss of $$ make bedbugs one of the hardest issues currently facing hoteliers. This is why we started NOBBEL, Inc.

Summertime Bed Bug Blues: NOBBEL’s July 2018 Newsletter

Written by admin on . Posted in Newsletter

 

NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 11       July 2018  

Headlines * Updates * Blogs * Helpful Hints * Certified Properties

NOBBEL, Inc is the National Organization of Bed Bug Education for Lodging. We offer bed bug training, testing and certifications to the lodging industry to help battle online reviews and build consumer confidence. Concerned travelers can book rooms with our certified locations on our website at www.KnowBedBugs.com.

Video Training is LIVE! Now it is even easier to train and certify your staff and hotel property, all online! Become our newest Platinum Certified property!

Also this month:

  • All New Property/Staff Pricing
  • Bundled Staff Packages…Get the Whole Team Trained!
  • Easier staff and property management tools for GMs

Interested in finding out more? We have all the information you need right here!

March Madness: KnowBedBugs March 2018

Written by admin on . Posted in Newsletter

 
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NOBBEL, Inc.       Newsletter Vol. 9       March 2018  

Headlines * Updates * Blogs * Helpful Hints * Certified Locations

NOBBEL, Inc is the National Organization of Bed Bug Education for Lodging. We offer bed bug training, testing and certifications to the lodging industry to help battle online reviews and build consumer confidence. Concerned travelers can book rooms with our certified locations on our website at www.KnowBedBugs.com.

___________________________________________________________________________ 

Headlines:

Aprehend team
Is this a game changer for bed bug extermination?

New Biopesticide from Penn State team Gaining Momentum with Pest Control Professionals

    • Fungal spore effectively kills bed bugs
    • Tests have not shown any adverse effects on people or pets.