Nursing homes and senior living communities have many residents, frequent visitors, shared common areas, and staff moving from room to room. That makes them easy places for bed bugs to spread. Older adults may also not notice bites or be able to tell someone about them, so families play a big role in catching a problem early.
What a good facility should be doing
- Regular pest control service, not just a call after someone finds bugs.
- Routine bed bug inspections of resident rooms and common areas.
- Inspecting nearby rooms when bed bugs are found, including the rooms next to, above, and below the one that reported it.
- A clear plan for telling families when bed bugs are found.
Questions to ask the property manager
- What is your pest control and prevention plan?
- How often are rooms inspected for bed bugs?
- If bed bugs are found, which other rooms get inspected?
- How will you let families know?
What families can do during visits
- Check the usual spots in your loved one’s room: mattress seams, headboard, recliner, and any upholstered chairs. See Where Do Bed Bugs Hide? for a full checklist.
- Look for new bites or scratching, especially on the arms, neck, and legs.
- Be careful in common areas. Upholstered seating in lounges and dining rooms is shared by many people.
- Protect your own home. Keep bags off the bed and furniture, and run visiting clothes through the dryer on high heat when you get home.
If you find signs of bed bugs
Tell the facility right away in writing, take photos, and ask what their treatment plan is and when it will happen.
Facility managers: call Tulsa Bed Bug Specialist about regular inspections and treatment.
Recent Comments