Bed bugs in Bali locally known as ‘titih’ has increasingly become a serious concern for lodging owners in Ubud.
These small insects not only disturb guests’ comfort but also notoriously difficult to eliminate, causing financial and operational issues for accommodation providers.
This situation was experienced firsthand by I Wayan Wijana, a lodging owner in Ubud, who admitted that bed bugs had once caused significant stress for his business.
The issue surfaced when a guest complained of insect bites while sleeping. The guest even showed a tiny reddish insect found on the bed, which locals refer to as titih.
Wayan Wijana confirmed how troublesome the pest has been, stating, “These bed bugs are very difficult to eradicate. They don’t just hide in the mattress—they can burrow into narrow gaps in wooden furniture that are hard to reach. Even spraying them doesn’t work well.”
From his observations, the bed bugs were likely brought in through a guest’s luggage after traveling to another island before arriving in Ubud. Because of this, whenever titih is found, the affected room must be closed for up to a week for thorough sterilization a process that reduces room availability and impacts revenue.
To prevent future incidents, Wijana now implements tighter guest screening. Before confirming any booking, his staff asks guests about their recent travel history. If they are found to have stayed in areas considered at high risk, he chooses not to accept the reservation.
“If a guest books a room, we first ask where they have recently traveled and stayed. If they come from eastern islands, we politely decline their booking by saying the rooms are full,” Wayan Wijana added as quoted from TribunBali.
Regular Inspection
The issue has also caught the attention of the Veterinary Health Laboratory Technical Unit in Gianyar. Its head, I Nyoman Arya Darma, acknowledged that bed bugs indeed pose a significant threat to accommodation providers, especially considering the high mobility of tourists.
He warned that travelers can unintentionally carry bed bugs on their clothes or luggage, especially when using public transportation such as buses, trains, or airplanes.
“Furniture like sofas, mattresses, and secondhand cupboards are favorite hiding spots for these insects,” Arya Darma said as reported by DenPost.
To help tackle the issue, Arya Darma offered several practical recommendations. First, all bedding such as sheets, blankets, and pillowcases—should be washed in hot water at a minimum of 60°C and dried on high heat.
Second, infested areas should be treated with fabric-safe insecticides, including mattresses, pillows, and carpets. Third, carpets and mattresses should be vacuumed thoroughly to remove live bugs and their eggs. Fourth, heat dryers can be used to treat infected surfaces.
He also encouraged regular inspections of cracks in walls, floors, and bed frames, which often serve as hiding places for bed bugs.
He emphasized the need for vigilance, saying, “Regular inspections are necessary to detect the presence of bed bugs and to take immediate action if they are found. If the infestation becomes severe, contact a professional, such as a parasitology expert.”
For long-term prevention, he recommended using mattress and pillow protectors designed to prevent bed bug nesting. Furthermore, he urged lodging owners and guests to avoid bringing potentially contaminated items into their rooms unless they have been thoroughly washed and dried.
As he noted, “Avoid bringing infested belongings into the room. Or at least wash and dry all contaminated items before taking them inside. Do not share personal items with others, including visiting guests.”
Sources : Tribunbali, Denpost.id
Feat Image : via Vecteezy