"This has been a developing problem across the United States over the past 3 or 4 years," Says Abilene Environmental Health Manger Glenn Bailey.
Following a complaint, The Environmental Health Department found an outbreak of bed bugs at Rodeway Inn in downtown Abilene.
"An individual who engaged a room thought that they had bed bug bites and called in," Said Bailey.
The Inn says they immediately called pest control services and are now working to rid the affected areas and make sure the problem doesn't spread.
"We called pest control and we have taken care of the problem. Usually it only takes twenty-four hours to rid them but we are not taking any chances and it's now been 72 hours," Said Dayakar Reddy, Rodeway's Manager.
Reddy feels the root of the problem could be traveling guests.
"Generally our guests will go hotel to hotel, and they bring this problem," Explains Reddy.
Environmental Health officials say that this is a large reason there have been similar outbreaks in the past.
Especially during the holiday season, when more people are traveling.
"These being insects of opportunity, they come in on clothing they come in on luggage," Says Bailey. "They may be bed bug free right now, but tomorrow morning if a traveler comes in carrying them then they will have bed bugs."
Having bed bugs does not mean the place they inhabited is unsanitary.
Officials say it's a problem we will continue to see until travelers and hotels are continuously taking preventative measures.
Following a complaint, The Environmental Health Department found an outbreak of bed bugs at Rodeway Inn in downtown Abilene.
"An individual who engaged a room thought that they had bed bug bites and called in," Said Bailey.
The Inn says they immediately called pest control services and are now working to rid the affected areas and make sure the problem doesn't spread.
"We called pest control and we have taken care of the problem. Usually it only takes twenty-four hours to rid them but we are not taking any chances and it's now been 72 hours," Said Dayakar Reddy, Rodeway's Manager.
Reddy feels the root of the problem could be traveling guests.
"Generally our guests will go hotel to hotel, and they bring this problem," Explains Reddy.
Environmental Health officials say that this is a large reason there have been similar outbreaks in the past.
Especially during the holiday season, when more people are traveling.
"These being insects of opportunity, they come in on clothing they come in on luggage," Says Bailey. "They may be bed bug free right now, but tomorrow morning if a traveler comes in carrying them then they will have bed bugs."
Having bed bugs does not mean the place they inhabited is unsanitary.
Officials say it's a problem we will continue to see until travelers and hotels are continuously taking preventative measures.
