Bed Bugs Protocols as Host

[Brian Fabel]

We had a guest that report they were bitten by a bed bug, which they killed and didn't have its remains to confirm if it was or was not a bed bug. 

In response we did a deep clean on the unit and couldn't find any bed bugs but found some possible bug casing and bug excrement. We cant conclude if these are bed bugs or just other bugs. We have called an exterminator to come out and do an inspection. 

Our unit is booked up with one-day turn arounds for the next few weeks and I am not sure what to do next. For our guest arriving today, we contacted them and offered to put them up in a hotel. 

But.... how should we handle our next few days of bookings (assuming that the exterminator does say we need treatment for bed bugs [if they say we are free and clear than obviously no action needed]). Any recommendations with communications  (both with guests and the their respective booking platforms) and handling current upcoming bookings? 

[Lauren Kormylo]

If you have bed bugs, you're going to have to cancel some of your upcoming guests, which mean you'll have to contact the booking platform and tell them why.  If your current guest calls Airbnb or Vrbo or wherever they booked, the platform will cancel and block your calendar anyway until you can prove you are free of bugs.  I have not had bed bugs, but I've read plenty of stories of other hosts who have.  If I were you, I'd go for the heat treatment as long as it's immediate and kills eggs too, because chemicals need to be reapplied.  You don't have an apartment with long term renters where you have time.  You have to get this done as fast as possible, and you're going to lose thousands from cancelled bookings and treatment as it is.  You don't want treatment to drag on, possibly leading to your future guests taking bedbugs home from your place and suing you.