U.K. hotels are experiencing a sharp rise in bed bug incidents ahead of the Christmas travel season, prompting a growing number of operators to abandon traditional chemical sprays in favour of rapid heat-based eradication methods after repeated reports that chemical treatments have failed to resolve outbreaks.
Industry specialists say the increase is most visible in London, where peak tourism around Christmas, high guest turnover and heavy luggage movement are creating ideal conditions for infestations to spread. Hotel groups in Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham have also reported seasonal spikes, though London remains the epicentre due to international arrivals.
According to ThermoPest, a London headquartered heat treatment provider, the sector is seeing one of its busiest winter periods since pre-pandemic travel resumed. Many operators have reported that conventional pesticide sprays supplied by general pest control companies have not delivered lasting results, particularly in hotels and assisted-living facilities where rooms are reoccupied quickly. ThermoPest says this shift is driving the move toward heat, which allows rooms to return to service on the same day and includes a warranty period to protect operators from recurring incidents.
“December puts enormous pressure on hotels. Rooms change hands every few hours, and guests are arriving from airports, trains and taxis where exposure to bed bugs is common,” said James Rhoades, pest expert and founder of ThermoPest. “We speak to hotels and assisted-living facilities every week that have already tried sprays and found the insects returning. Heat treatment gives them a way to solve the problem fast and with confidence. It removes insects and eggs in a single treatment without using chemicals, and the room can usually be reopened within hours. Our warranty gives operators additional assurance that the issue will not immediately return.”
Heat treatment, which raises room temperatures to levels lethal to bed bugs but safe for furnishings, is increasingly viewed as the leading method for hospitality environments. Unlike chemical applications, which may require repeat visits or extended room closures, heat penetrates deep into fabrics, carpets, mattresses and structural gaps where eggs typically remain hidden. Scientists say this makes it more effective in settings with high occupancy and rapid turnover.
Researchers also note that warmer interior temperatures during winter can accelerate the insects’ reproductive cycle, making hotels particularly vulnerable between December and February. With the U.K. expecting some of its highest seasonal visitor numbers since 2019, the risk is amplified.
Public health data suggests the wider U.K. is also seeing increased household enquiries related to suspected activity. Google search volume for “bed bug treatment U.K.” and “bed bug treatment London” reached multi-year highs in late autumn, driven partly by renewed media attention across Europe.
Hotel operators say prevention remains difficult despite strong housekeeping standards. Bed bugs can arrive in any class of accommodation, from budget rooms to luxury suites, and are often transported unknowingly inside luggage seams, heavy coats or soft fabric items.
“This is not a hygiene issue. It is a travel issue,” Rhoades added. “The U.K. is fully open again to international tourism, and London is one of the busiest transit points in the world. Hotels can do everything right and still face a case because one guest arrived with an insect in their suitcase. Heat treatment backed by a warranty has become the most reliable way to keep operations running without extended closures.”
Hospitality analysts say the rise in heat treatment reflects a sector adjusting to changing expectations around speed, discretion and guest safety. Chemical-free solutions are becoming more desirable for operators that want to avoid odours, surface residues or disruption to furnishings.
The U.K. Hotel Association declined to comment on specific figures but acknowledged that operators were increasing staff training and awareness ahead of the Christmas rush.
With occupancy forecast to remain high through New Year celebrations, specialists expect demand for heat-based eradication to continue rising.
“The peak season has only just begun,” Rhoades said. “Hotels are preparing for record footfall. Rapid, effective treatment is now an essential part of keeping operations running smoothly.”
