Not all licensed pest control professionals offer the safest methods of extermination. When a dangerous and illegal pesticide was sprayed at a Caribbean resort recently, a Delaware family staying in the unit above came down with serious illnesses. The operators of the resort, Sea Glass Vacations, have as a result come under intense scrutiny.

The banned chemical methyl bromide caused two boys to suffer seizures and need hospitalization. Their father also required emergency care, and all remained in critical condition for days following the event.

When pest control goes wrong

Sirenusa Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands hired a licensed team of exterminators from a local and well-known national pest control company to handle a pest problem (possibly bed bugs, but it remains unclear). Unfortunately, the exterminators used methyl bromide, which is only approved for certain agricultural uses. The pesticide has otherwise been illegal for over 30 years.

The EPA has been investigating the resort and the local pest control business to ensure that justice is dealt and to prevent future misuse of methyl bromide in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Those working in the hospitality industry should take this as a sign that only the safest and most advanced pest control methods should be used at hotels and other businesses. The incident has tarnished reputations in addition to seriously injuring the guests.

When hotel operators and property managers find bed bugs or other pests, make a call to the reputable pest control team at Stern Environmental.