Commercial businesses of all types must stay abreast of the bed bug epidemic and how it affects your business. While the hospitality industry is greatly impacted, don't be deceived into thinking that the current growing bed bug problem will not affect your business. Any business involving the movement of people and possessions will be impacted. That's a lot of businesses! Restaurants, theatres, arenas, used furniture and thrift shops, moving vans, rental vehicles, airlines and other transportation systems and terminals, medical centers and clinics, any business with a waiting room, all are impacted.

It is important that you develop a bed bug policy and bed bug procedures. Consider all the issues and specialties below when you formulate your bed bug policy and procedures.

• Contract a pest control company that is skilled in bed bug work and one that communicates well. Ask them to assist you in developing prevention and training programs. They should be able to do more than treat the problem. Be sure to ask the pest control company what methods they use. Although pest control treatment methods are evolving, some companies are locked into a certain methodology, whereas others are more innovative. Be sure to ask what non-chemical methods they use. You can reduce exposure to pesticides with the use of vacuums, steamers, freezing and heating equipment, as well as protective bed encasements. Bed Bug Central has begun to certify companies in their approved techniques. There are also a few general green pest control certifying bodies: Green Shield, EcoWise, GreenPro. If you use a "green company," ask to what extent the bed bug program falls within the green classification.
• You should consult with an attorney throughout the process of developing your bed bug policy and procedures. Ask what your liabilities are and how the choices you make impact that liability.
• Hold in-house staff training sessions. You should consider bi-lingual bed bug training for staff. There is a lot of literature available now that can be provided to new hires.
• You will need to be aware of the potential for infestations that travel back and forth between the place of work and the residential living quarters or homes of staff. Understand that your staff will no doubt be afraid to tell you if they are having a bed bug problem at home. Though you may think it extreme, you might consider assisting with payments to staff that develop bed bug infestations at home. If the infestation came from the place of work, is it not an obligation of the employer to remedy the home infestation? It is in the best interest of the employer to see that the business is not re-infested. Of course, to make this happen, you need to have a corporate culture where staff feels they can talk to you about their problems.
• For how long should areas identified as infested be quarantined?
• Do I need to dispose of infested objects: beds, chairs and other furniture?
• What departments need to be actively involved in carrying out the policy? You may be surprised at how many departments are involved. Don't assume that only the cleaning crew needs training. What should you do if a computer has bed bugs? What are the ramifications of bed bugs in a the fire alarm system?
• Does the public need to know? Is my business required to notify clients that there has been an infestation? If so, how do I mitigate the potential damage or loss of business?
• Is it feasible and legal to screen out, separate or triage incoming clients for bed bug problems?
• Should the company alter policy with regard to movement of equipment, furniture and staff so as to preventatively minimize the risk that a bed bug infestation will spread rapidly and uncontrollably throughout a facility?

There is no one correct policy or procedure, but for sure, not having bed bug policy and procedure puts you in a reactive, embarrassing and expensive position when a problem arises. You can greatly reduce your liability and exposure to negative publicity with a pro-active approach to the bed bug epidemic and its' impact on your business. This is a public health issue that demands your attention as a responsible employer.

The following is a very brief Sample Hotel / Motel Bed Bug Policy directed toward guests. Here is the Center for Supportive Housing Bed Bug Eradication Policy.

Check out the Armed Forces Pest Management Board Guide to Bed Bugs.