What are bed bugs and why are they hard to get rid of?
Bed bugs are small brown insects about the size of an apple seed. They feed on human blood during sleep and hide during the day in mattress seams, bed frames, furniture joints and cracks behind panels. They are hard to eliminate because they hide in very narrow spaces, survive long periods without feeding, and lay eggs that some treatments do not kill the first time.
Bed bugs travel easily in luggage, clothing and second-hand furniture, so they are common in hotels, furnished apartments and staff accommodation, and in cities that receive large numbers of visitors such as Makkah and Madinah. Their presence is not linked to poor hygiene; they can appear in the cleanest places if they are carried in from an infested site.
Signs of bed bugs
The best-known sign is small red bites, often in a line or cluster on the arms, neck and legs after waking, with irritating itching. You may also find small blood spots on sheets and covers, and tiny black dots along the edges of mattresses, which are bed bug droppings.
A careful inspection may reveal the bugs themselves or their empty skins in mattress seams and behind the headboard. Heavy infestations can cause an unusual smell in the room. If you notice these signs, avoid moving furniture or mattresses to other rooms so the infestation does not spread.
How Orbit eliminates bed bugs
We begin with a detailed inspection of every room: mattresses, beds, sofas, curtains and cracks in walls and floors, to map how far the infestation has spread. We then give you a preparation checklist, including washing bedding at a high temperature and emptying wardrobes near the bed.
We treat affected areas with approved products that reach the cracks and seams where bed bugs hide. Because eggs can hatch after the first treatment, we treat over two visits: the first eliminates existing bugs, and the second, a few days later, breaks the egg cycle and removes newly hatched bugs.
For hotels and furnished apartments we offer regular room inspection programs that catch infestations early, before they spread between rooms or lead to guest complaints and poor reviews.
Bed bug service for hotels, apartments and staff housing
In properties with a constant flow of guests, infestations can move from room to room with staff, cleaning trolleys and linen. So we do not just treat the affected room; we inspect neighbouring rooms on the same floor and the floors above and below to define the boundaries of the infestation accurately, and treat every room that shows signs.
We provide hotels and staff accommodation with a regular inspection program, short training for housekeeping teams on early warning signs, and a report after every visit listing the rooms inspected and treated. This reduces room closures and occupancy losses, and protects your reputation in guest reviews.
How to stop bed bugs coming back
When you return from travelling, check your luggage before bringing it into bedrooms, and wash clothes at a high temperature. Inspect second-hand furniture and mattresses carefully before bringing them home, and use zippered mattress encasements that stop bed bugs hiding inside.
Reduce clutter around the bed, because piled-up items create extra hiding places, and check mattress seams and bed frames regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Why does bed bug treatment need two visits?
Some eggs may survive the first treatment and hatch days later, so the second visit eliminates the new bugs before they grow and lay eggs.
Do I need to throw away infested mattresses?
In most cases no. Proper treatment with a sealed mattress encasement is enough. The technician will advise after inspecting the mattress and the extent of the infestation.
Do you serve hotels in Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. We offer regular programs for hotels and furnished apartments that include room inspections, treatment and reports, scheduled around occupancy.
