As reports of bedbug outbreaks continue to rise in France and the UK, hotels are turning to technology for solutions to detect and mitigate these infestations early, a crucial step in preventing their spread. Max Malka, owner of the Montlhery Paris Sud Hotel, located 15km south of Paris, emphasizes the fear and uncertainty surrounding bedbug occurrences, citing potential legal ramifications if a guest is severely bitten.
This surge in bedbug concerns has prompted companies to adopt both old and new technological measures. The need to address these issues is driven by growing public apprehension, with hotels, transportation firms, and local governments all grappling with inquiries related to bedbugs. Pest control company Rentokil reported a 65% increase in bedbug cases in the UK during the second quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year. Luton Council even issued guidelines to local residents on handling bedbug outbreaks due to a high volume of calls on the matter.
Malka highlights that hotels in Paris typically encounter a bedbug case once a year, primarily introduced by guests during the summer season. To prevent the spread of these pests, he invested in a novel monitoring technology developed by a UK startup called Spotta. This system enabled him to detect bedbug occurrences early, before they escalated. Malka is so confident in this solution that he displays stickers in his hotel to reassure customers about its effectiveness.
Spotta’s CEO, Robert Fryers, stresses the importance of identifying bedbug outbreaks at an early stage to prevent their rapid multiplication, stating that the problem can escalate from a mere two bedbugs to thousands in a matter of months. Their device is a small plastic box containing a pheromone chemical designed to attract bedbugs, strategically placed between mattresses and bedframes. When a bedbug enters the device, a built-in camera captures an image and transmits it to a central database via the internet. An amalgamation of artificial intelligence and human oversight confirms the presence of a bedbug, triggering mobile alerts to relevant hotel managers. This innovative system is likened to a “Covid test for bedbugs.”
The pioneer of this early-detection approach is Finland’s Valpas, established in 2013. They have secured deals with numerous luxury hotels across Europe and designed digitally connected bug traps integrated into custom bed legs. These traps detect bedbugs crawling up the bed to bite humans and promptly send alerts to hotel owners. Valpas has also managed to address the stigma associated with hotels needing “pest control,” a term not typically featured in advertisements.
