Four major Las Vegas Strip hotels affected by bedbug infestations – here’s what you need to know and how to get rid of them

Inspectors with the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) reported bedbug infestations at 4 hotels along the Las Vegas Strip. Their investigation was initiated following concerns that several tourists staying at these hotels can have unintentionally transported unwanted pests back to their homes at the top of their trip.

The investigation lasted over five months, from September to January, and confirmed that the Encore, Venetian, Excalibur Hotel & Casino and Mirage were among the many hotels where guests noticed the pests.

In September, on the Venetian Hotel, staff moved a guest to one other suite and, according to the documents, arranged for his belongings to be washed after bedbugs were detected.

The following month, a guest staying on the Mirage reported being bitten by bedbugs and filed a criticism. As a result, Mirage refunded the guest’s payment.

Documents show that also in October, a guest checking into the Excalibur Hotel and Casino noticed bedbugs in his room.

When SNHD conducted its own review of the hotels on December 5, as well as to the documented incidents, dogs trained to sniff out bedbugs found one live insect crawling around a room on the Encore Hotel. After the invention, the agency closed the hotel. However, this was not the primary time errors were reported.

“We understand that people are interested in the topic and bedbugs are a nuisance; however, we do not have any ongoing investigations,” Jennifer Sizemore, communications specialist with the Southern Nevada Health District he wrote in an email to the Los Angeles Times.

Bedbugs can actually survive for half a 12 months without food. This generally is a challenge for individuals who aren’t being attentive because they have not been bitten. Experts suggest people still need to be vigilant when traveling.

“Even though it’s clean, there’s no harm in pulling back the sheets and checking out your surroundings. Check the chair. Bedbugs are very visible. You just have to look. You have to be proactive,” said Bob James, a neighborhood pest exterminator.

Another reason why travelers need to be vigilant when checking for the 5-millimeter critters is that after they get home, they’re difficult to get rid of. Female bloodsuckers lay up to 500 eggs during their lives.

While getting rid of them is difficult, it shouldn’t be not possible.

How to get rid of bedbugs

Experts emphasize the rapid identification of all infested areas to stop bedbugs from breeding and spreading. Containment is vital if detected, with the really helpful removal method being to suction infected items right into a plastic bag for disposal. Before treatment, prepare your own home by cleansing or disposing of bedding, carpets, curtains, clothes, and potential hiding places. Initially, try non-chemical elimination methods corresponding to extreme temperature (115°F/46.11°C) or extreme cold (32°F/0°C).

EPA-approved insecticides for bed bugs could also be effective, provided they’re specifically labeled for this use. Due to the gradual nature of bed bug elimination, persistence is vital. Monitor infected areas weekly for ongoing activity to confirm treatment effectiveness.