What is the best way for hotels to reduce pests during the off-season?
Hotels can reduce pest risk most effectively during the slower season by focusing on comprehensive inspections during times of lower guest occupancy as well as exclusion, early detection, and documentation. All of this is part of a hotel’s comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) plan. With fewer guests on property, hotel teams have an opportunity to identify vulnerabilities, reinforce protocols and implement sustainable pest prevention strategies that help protect guest experience and property conditions year-round.
In hospitality, the best guest experiences are seamless—the kind where nothing distracts from comfort, cleanliness or peace of mind. When pest concerns are under control, hotel brand reputations remain protected, leading to sustained maximum occupancy during peak seasons. Additionally, teams can stay focused on what they do best: delivering thoughtful service that creates positive, lasting impressions.
For hotels, pest prevention is most effective when it’s proactive. Clear roles, consistent protocols and well-documented processes help prevent small issues from becoming larger operational challenges.
The five tips below reflect IPM principles used by pest management professionals across the hospitality industry.
Tip 1: Use Exclusion to Help Reduce Pests Before They Enter the Hotel
The most sustainable way to manage pests is to keep them out in the first place. Many pests need only the smallest opening to enter a building. Mice, for example, can squeeze through gaps as small as a dime.
Pest management professionals typically begin with a thorough inspection to identify vulnerable areas such as foundations, doors, windows, pipes and vents. From there, they recommend targeted fixes that strengthen the building envelope without disrupting daily operations.
Exclusion focuses on sealing potential entry points using physical barriers rather than chemical treatments. Common solutions include:
- Door sweeps and properly fitted thresholds
- Air curtains at frequently used entrances
- Weather-resistant sealants around cracks and gaps
- Secured vents, windows and utility penetrations
Exclusion is highly effective, but it isn’t always permanent. Buildings shift, materials degrade and new gaps can form over time. Regular, repeat inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure exclusion measures continue to do their job. These can be accomplished with a hotel’s Facilities Director to ensure building integrity.
Tip 2: Stay Ahead of Bed Bugs with Early Detection & Prevention
Bed bugs remain one of the most challenging pests for hotels—not only because of the cost of treatment, but because of the reputational risk they pose. Prevention and early detection are critical to avoiding widespread issues.
Many hotels rely on a layered approach to bed bug management, which may include:
- Routine inspections of guestrooms
- Staff training to recognize early signs of activity
- Mattress and box spring encasements to reduce hiding spots
- Furniture management plans to reduce unnecessary between-room movement
When treatment is needed, options range from conventional approaches to reduced-chemical alternatives. For example, some situations could be treated with heat treatments. OrkinHeat raises ambient temperatures to levels that are lethal to bed bugs, eliminating all life stages while reducing the use of chemical products. These treatments often can be completed in a single day, minimizing room downtime and returning a room for guests the next day.
Proactive bed bug programs often include detailed documentation and regular inspections, which may include canine detection services such as those offered by Orkin, which can identify infestations earlier and more reliably than visual checks alone.
Tip 3: Deter Pest Birds Before They Create Safety & Sanitation Issues
Pest birds are sometimes overlooked in pest prevention planning, but they can create real challenges for hotels. Droppings can damage building materials and create slip hazards, while nesting and roosting near entrances or outdoor amenities may deter guests. Pest birds, such as pigeons, can also carry parasites and pathogens that pose public health concerns.
Effective bird management starts with understanding the behavior and conditions attracting them. Pest management professionals typically conduct site surveys to identify:
- Feeding and water sources
- Roosting and nesting locations
- Structural features that encourage bird activity
- Susceptible bird entry areas
From there, solutions focus on habitat modification and humane deterrents, such as netting, sealing entry points or installing wire or coil systems to exclude and deter birds rather than harm them. Proper sanitization of affected areas is also critical—not only for safety, but to discourage settlers from returning.
Tip 4: Use Pest Management Records to Help Improve Long-Term Control
Documentation plays a key role in effective, sustainable pest management. Keeping detailed records of inspections, services and facility conditions helps hotels identify trends and respond more strategically over time and is often critical for hotel evaluations and audits.
Orkin offers a secure digital documentation system that allows hotels to:
- Track pest activity and treatments
- Prepare for brand standards reviews or third-party audits
- Maintain a clear service history
- Evaluate trends to determine long-term solutions for repeat concerns
Having accurate records on hand not only supports compliance but also helps teams make informed decisions that reduce unnecessary treatments, find proactive solutions, and focus resources where they’re needed most.
Tip 5: Take an Ongoing Integrated Pest Management Approach
Sustainable pest control is not a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing process. IPM brings together prevention, monitoring, sanitation, exclusion and targeted treatment into a long-term strategy.
Hospitality-focused pest management programs, such as Orkin’s Hospitality Precision Protection, are designed to adapt to a hotel’s unique layout, operations and pest risks. For certain facilities with specific environmental and sustainability goals, programs like Orkin Element can allow for a more “minimum risk” approach.
This balanced approach allows hotels to remain proactive, effective and environmentally responsible without compromising results.
Planning Ahead for a Better Guest Experience
Pest management doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of proactive planning, consistent maintenance and informed decision-making. By using the off-season to reinforce exclusion, train staff, review documentation and strengthen ongoing pest management strategies, hotels can enter peak season prepared—and confident. By utilizing these times to fully evaluate pest risks and offer solutions, hotels brands are protected and help to ensure occupancy throughout the peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is integrated pest management (IPM) in hotels? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a proactive, science-based approach that combines prevention, monitoring and targeted treatment—using non-chemical methods first and chemical solutions only when necessary.
Why is the off-season important for pest control in hospitality? While guest traffic may slow, pest activity often continues year-round, making the off-season an ideal time to assess vulnerabilities, perform maintenance and strengthen prevention strategies with minimal disruption to guests, all while protecting a brand’s reputation.
Are sustainable pest control methods effective for hotels? Yes, when implemented as part of an IPM program, sustainable methods such as exclusion, monitoring and targeted treatments can effectively manage pests while supporting guest safety and environmental goals.
About the Author
Dr. Shannon Sked, National Technical Director at Orkin, provides technical support and guidance for Orkin in the areas of training and education, and operations and marketing. As a board-certified entomologist and an industry veteran, he is an acknowledged leader in the field of pest management.
More Resources:
Bed Bugs in Hotels
How Hotel Staff Can Help with Bed Bug Prevention
Help Prevent Bed Bugs from Spreading in Your Hotel
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Your Business
