Bed Bug Epidemic in Las Vegas Reports
Matt Unrein • November 15, 2024
Investigators Find Bed Bugs in Multiple Las Vegas Reports
Krystal Nailer, a Mississippi resident, claims that she was attacked by bed bugs while staying at the STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas, NV. According to official documents from October 2022, there were “painful welts on her left leg and buttocks,” the document said. Nailer immediately reported the bed bugs to the front desk. According to the document, “the employee took an incident report and provided [her] with hydrocortisone cream for her injuries.”
The lawsuit notes state that at no time before October 2022 did Nailer suffer from bed bug bites or see any in her home. However local news station, 8 News Now reported earlier this year that inspectors with the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) found bed bugs at four Strip properties between late 2023 and early 2024. The discoveries were made across all hotel classes.
According to the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), guests discovered bed bugs in the six months from February to August at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Resorts World Las Vegas, Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and Hilton Grand Vacation Club.
This report by the SNHD highlights that guests complained about bed bugs at the Resorts World from Feb. 4 to Feb. 8.
At the Bellagio Hotel, the investigation found bed bugs after a person stayed at the property during the Christmas holiday, two months before the other reports were made.
At the Cosmopolitan, inspectors found bed begs located inside the headboard of the hotel room and there were guests inside that room from May 14 to May 18.
Investigators also discovered bed bugs at the Hilton Grand Vacations during August.
The Nevada Resort Association, released the following statement to the press.
“Unfortunately, these pests can be transported anywhere unwittingly in luggage and clothing,” the statement said in part. “While incredibly rare, when reported, our members take swift action in accordance with health and safety requirements.”
Bed bugs are hitchhikers that will find a place to hide in your stuff and follow you home. If you stayed in Las Vegas from February to August then you might be at risk of bedbugs following you home. Bed bugs are insects that feed on your blood during the night and hide during the day. They have been known to attach to people's clothes in hotel rooms and hitchhiking their way into people's homes.
If you think that you have found bed bugs in your hotel/motel room or your home please give us a call and we will provide you with a free inspection. If you are unsure about the signs of bed bugs, please visit our FAQ page.
Original articles can be found here:
According to a TIME article, bed bugs have been a persistent problem for years, but lately, they’ve become even more difficult to eliminate. That’s because these pests are developing resistance to many common pesticides, making traditional treatments less effective.
Even the cleanest hotels are vulnerable to bed bugs—especially during the summer rush of travelers crisscrossing the country. With suitcases coming and going, and guests checking in and out in rapid cycles, these pests are finding new homes in hotels both budget and luxury. According to a recent USA Today article titled “Any hotel can have bed bugs. How travelers can avoid bringing them home,” experts emphasize that bed bugs aren’t tied to cleanliness but to human activity. “Bed bugs aren’t a reflection of cleanliness—they’re a reality of travel,” the article states. Bed bugs travel by hitching rides on luggage, clothing, or personal items. Once inside a hotel room, they can hide in mattress seams, behind headboards, or in upholstered furniture—waiting for their next host. This makes high-traffic hotels especially susceptible. The surge in summer travel has brought renewed attention to the risk of infestations. With the influx of summer travelers in full swing, bed bugs are hitching rides on luggage, clothing, and personal items, moving from guest to guest and room to room. For hotel operators, this means proactive action is more important than ever. Hotels should implement early detection protocols, such as routine inspections and discreet monitoring tools. Rapid-response treatment options that don’t disrupt guests are critical. SOS Pest Control's approach includes same-day heat treatments that are non-toxic and discreet, conducted with unmarked vehicles to avoid alarming guests. Because your guests should leave with memories, not bed bugs. According to the USA Today report, travelers can protect themselves by: Placing suitcases on luggage racks instead of beds or carpets Inspecting the bed, headboard, and surrounding furniture for small reddish-brown bugs or black dots (droppings) Washing and drying clothes on high heat after travel Even if hotels take all the right steps, prevention is a shared responsibility between guests and management. “Wherever there are people, there’s potential for bed bugs,” said Dr. Brittany Campbell, entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, in the USA Today article. SOS Pest Control warns that bed bugs can follow guests home and remain hidden for long periods. We recommend travelers inspect luggage before reentering their homes and seek professional help at the first sign of an infestation. If you’re a hotel manager in the Kansas City area, you can contact SOS Pest Control at www.soskc.com or call 816-237-5342. Article link: USA TODAY
