Tips for the Office

Although bed bugs are typically thought to be a household pest, they can hitchhike with people to their places of employment. In fact, in a recent survey by the NPMA, 17% of pest control professionals indicated that they have encountered bed bug infestations in office buildings. When surveyed a few years ago, less than 1% had found them in office buildings. Here are the NPMA's tips to prevent bringing bed bugs home from the office:

• Vacuum and clean all areas - including offices, hallways, lobbies, kitchens, storefronts and public bathrooms on a daily basis.

• Regularly inspect all areas of business for signs of bed bugs infestations. Pay close attention to the seams of furniture and upholstery for telltale brownish or reddish spots. Also beware that these pests have been known to inhabit electrical sockets, surge protectors and behind picture frames.  Vigilance by all employees is key!

• Eliminate clutter as best as possible - especially in storage areas as this provides excellent hiding spots for bed bugs.

• When unpacking new inventory or receiving shipments, carefully inspect all items and packaging for signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your business.

• Encourage employees to report suspicions of bed bug activity immediately, and always contact a pest professional to investigate each claim.

• Have a policy in place for employees who may suspect a bed bug infestation at home.  Many times, employees unknowingly bring these pests into the office.  By having an open dialogue and official policy on these pest infestations, you may be able to help remove any concern of honest reporting.

• If a bed bug infestation is found, work with a professional pest control company to treat the infestation and perform follow-up inspections.